Kick It Out with Devon Lions and Exeter FC

DEVON Lions Football Club, proudly sponsored by Devon and Cornwall Police, are Devon's first and only gay-friendly football team.

The Lions kick off their campaign in the Gay Football Supporter Network (GFSN) National League on Saturday 22nd October, with a home game against Saltire (Glasgow) Thistle.  This has been transferred from Plymouth to Exeter as this game now forms part of the Exeter City FC’s involvement in the One Game One Community ‘Kick it Out’ week– part of the national drive to banish all forms of prejudice from the game.

Kick It Out is a national organisation aimed at ending Racism and other prejudice in the game.  Exeter City vs Rochdale, on Saturday 22nd October at St James Park (3pm Kick Off) is their designated KIO game and volunteers from Exeter City, Devon Lions and Saltire will be there to raise awareness of the issues of prejudice still prevalent in football.  The Exeter City game will follow the keenly-contested game between Devon and Glasgow that morning in Exeter for which a suitable venue is currently being sought and will be announced later.

Devon Lions Secretary, Richard Cowell, said ‘This is a great opportunity for Exeter City FC and Devon Lions to tackle prejudice in today’s game.  Football still lags behind society in general on the key prejudices of homophobia, sexism and racism and the day will be a chance for people to show support for tackling these’.

Since forming in February 2009, Devon Lions FC have provided a non-judgmental environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and heterosexual players to take part in sport in Devon. The club take pride in promoting equality and social inclusion whilst fighting prejudice, in particular homophobia, within society.

The Devon Lions vs Saltire (Glasgow) Thistle game is in the Gay National League - an amateur league competition for gay football clubs across the United Kingdom. Lions' fixtures for the season will include trips to Bristol, London and Cardiff in games designed to raise awareness of the issues of homophobia in football.

In addition to the upcoming season's 11 aside fixtures, the Lions have already been busy in the Devon area, with a stall including beat the goal-keeper competition at Torbay Gay Pride in July, and they hosted a Diversity tournament at Exeter University in May.  Devon Lions are always on the lookout for new players, supporters or volunteers, so no matter how experienced you are, you will be made to feel welcome.

For further information about Devon Lions please contact the committee on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it