30 October 2013

 

On the final weekend in November, Village Manchester travel to Newcastle to take on Leicester Wildecats in the GFSN Cup Quarter Final.

 

By Rob McPherson

 

The club earned their place in the final eight by emphatically beating Newcastle Panthers 8-1 at the start of October.

 

The game, which is taking place alongside the other three quarter finals, is being played in the North East as part of the GFSN's Christmas get-together.

 

Over the years the two clubs have rarely faced each other. In fact, one of the last times the clubs came up against each other was in the GFSN Cup final in 2008. The clubs squared up to each other in Mansfield where Village emerged victorious with a 3-2 win. It was an entertaining game but it looked as if the trophy would be heading to Leicester as they were leading 2-1 with one minute to go. However, a last minute equaliser and a winner deep into stoppage time meant that Village won the competition for the first time in its history.

 

A similar result this time round would see Village reach the semi-finals - however, they will face a difficult task as Leicester are a formidable outfit.

 

They reached the quarter finals by dispatching London Titans in the previous round and are in Division 1 of the GFSN League. They may have lost their first two GFSN League games but they have an opportunity to get back on track as they face Yorkshire Terriers before the cup game and they have regular games in the Unity League.

 

Village however will be up for the task as they will be buoyed by their victory in the previous round and will have been in regular action in the City Central League.

 

The game kicks off at 12:30pm on Pitch 2 at Coach Lane Sports Development Centre. The other quarter finals are: Wolverhampton Harts vs Saltire Thistle, Hotscots vs London Falcons and London Romans vs Yorkshire Terriers.

 

GFSN - a lowdown

 

You may have heard or read about the GFSN from our website or social media feeds but are not sure who they are or what they do.

 

The Gay Football Supporters' Network (GFSN) is a social, playing and campaigning network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans (LGB&T) football fans and their friends whose organise regular events, match visits and tournaments, and campaign on issues relating to homophobia in football.

 

Village Manchester is an affiliate member (as opposed to a full member) of the GFSN in that we play in their cup competition and other tournaments but are not part of the GFSN League - the world's only national LGB&T football league.

 

The network, which was set up in 1989, regularly campaigns against homophobia in football - as was shown in the recent 'Right Behind Gay Footballers' rainbow laces campaign - and they want to create a safe and tolerant environment for gay people and to gain the respect and recognition for LGBT involvement in football.

 

As an affiliate member, Village Manchester take part in a number of campaigns and by playing games in local, straight leagues we aim to promote inclusivity and tackle any discrimination that we face.

 

Other clubs that are part of the GFSN are: Bexley Invicta FC, Birmingham Blaze, Bristol Panthers, Cardiff Dragons, GFC Brighton & Hove, Hotscots FC, Leftfooters FC, Leicester Wildecats, London Falcons GFC, London Phoenix FC, London Romans FC, London Titans, Mersey Marauders, Newcastle Panthers, Nottingham Ball Bois, Saltire Thistle, Stonewall FC, Trowbridge Tigers, Wolverhampton Harts and Yorkshire Terriers.

 

To find out more about the GFSN click here.