Football

Ancient Greek football player balancing the ball; depicted on an Attic Lekythos

Football (Association Football, or Soccer) is a game that has been played for centuries in the UK, and has been likened to the ancient Greek game of Episkyros (Greek: ἐπίσκυρος). However the modern form of the game became standardised during the 19th century, particularly with the formation of the Football Association in 1863.

LGBT history

Lily Parr, known to be lesbian, was a professional footballer from 1917 onwards.

In 1978 the gay football referee Norman Redman started a gay team called Gaystars XI, but it was short-lived. From the 1990s onwards, a number of gay or gay-friendly football teams have been formed, starting with Stonewall FC in 1991.

The Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) was founded in 1989, and by 2002 there were enough gay teams for the GFSN National League to be formed, now comprising 15 of the leading clubs. There are now also regional leagues:

• the London Unity League
• the Midlands Unity League
• the South West Gay League

Not all members of the various teams are necessarily gay, and several of them describe themselves as "gay friendly".

For a current list of gay/gay-friendly teams, see Category:Football teams