Manchester FA has continued its support of Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign, which supports LGBT+ equality within football. 

This year’s campaign in Manchester was kicked off at the inaugural Pride Cup competition, a 12-team event which was contested by already-established clubs and businesses across Manchester.

Taking the trophy home on this occasion was Auto Trader, who defeated Village Manchester in the final. Check out the video at the bottom of this page for all of the action from the night.

According to Stonewall’s own research, 43 per cent of LGBT+ people think that public sporting events aren’t welcoming for them.

That’s why grassroots clubs and leagues, in tandem with their professional counterparts, are making a combined effort to generate awareness of, and help in tackling, homophobia, transphobia and biphobia.

21,500 laces and 1,250 captain’s armbands have been distributed across the country, from grassroots clubs, to the Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

However, while progress has been made, there is still work to be done to encourage people to be active allies of LGBT+ people and make football For All.

The FA recognises that football can play an important role in encouraging everyone to be themselves and creating acceptance in wider society and, with this in mind, LGBT+ is a significant focus of In Pursuit of Progress, The FA’s equality, diversity and inclusion plan.

In November 2018 The FA announced a partnership with Stonewall, the UK’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights charity.

The FA continues to be an ally of the LGBT community, supporting the annual Rainbow Laces campaign, delivering ticketing opportunities for LGBT+ fan groups at every England game, while over 50 FA employees and County FA staff took part in July’s Pride parade in central London.