History will be made this Sunday when two Scottish sides battle it out for the Gay Football Support Network National Cup.
HotScots FC of Edinburgh will play Glasgow’s Saltire Thistle at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir (kick-off 2pm) in the first ever all Scottish GFSN National Cup final.
Thistle will complete a league cup double if they triumph while HotScots are gunning for their second title after lifting the cup back in 2009.
GFSN are a support network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans (LGB&T) football fans and players. The GFSN League is the world’s only national LGBT football league and is open to all players regardless of gender, race, ability or sexual orientation.
The National Cup is open to member clubs from around the UK with teams in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Iain Sharkey, Chairman of Saltire Thistle, believes the final will be great thing for LGBT sport regardless of who wins on Sunday.
Speaking to the Scottish FA, he said: “It’s probably one of the biggest games in our history in the short spell we’ve been here. The fact it’s two Scottish teams makes it that more important. There’s rivalry but great friendship between the two sides - we work really closely together.
“It’s about breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes about people who play football. We are a gay-friendly club rather than a gay club so we welcome anyone who can play football.
“We’d like to think this final can give people inspiration and hope to challenge stereotypes but also give people the confidence to feel that just because of your sexuality doesn’t mean you can’t play football or other sports.”
For more information on how to get involved with the teams, either as a player or fan, visit the official websites of HotScots FC and Saltire Thistle.
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