Essex grassroots footballers will wear Rainbow Laces in their boots across three weekends from Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November as part of a display of support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in the sport.

We're working alongside Stonewall Charity to make football inclusive for everyone, whether they’re a fan, player, manager, coach or referee. The aim is that one simple action - wearing Rainbow Laces - can make a big difference to amplify the conversation and set a strong example to everyone in the local community.

Dagenham & Redbridge FC Ladies and Girls will wear the laces on the third weekend and Lindsay Harris from The Daggers said: “I want anyone in sport to know that they can be anything they want to be, be accepted and be proud to achieve anything they set out to do. There are no boundaries!”

“I hope the campaign shows that barriers are being broken down. In sport, and in life in general, people should be accepted for what they are, no matter what. It’s about educating the ones who say you can’t, to show them that, actually, times have changed and, in fact, you can!”

Susana Delgado-Curtis of Basildon Boys & Girls Club FC added: “Our club promotes equality in football and we hope to highlight this by supporting and participating in the Rainbow Laces Campaign. As a club we pride ourselves in creating a welcoming environment for everyone who wishes to participate in football, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

Danbury & Bicknacre FC’s Guy Western also commented: “We are participating in the campaign to show our support for LGBT inclusivity and equality. We’re a club with teams from Under 7s to adults and we, as the senior team at the club, have a responsibility to demonstrate our support for this campaign to all our members, their friends and their families.”

To take part in the campaign at your club before a match, join together with the opposing team and take a picture with rainbow colours, upload your images to Twitter and include #RainbowLaces @EssexCountyFA @FA and @stonewalluk, plus the team names. To receive free laces (subject to availability), call Cindi on (01245) 393090 or E-Mail cindi.chatha@essexfa.com.

Weekend 1 (Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November)

Basildon Boys & Girls Club vs Rayleigh Boys (Southend & District Junior League Under 16s)
Ekco Whitecaps vs Leigh Rockets (Southend & District Junior League Under 15s)
Queens Park Hannakins vs Broomfield (Pope & Smith Chelmsford Sunday League)
Sparta Broomfield vs Danbury & Bicknacre (Pope & Smith Chelmsford Sunday League)
Stock United vs Ravens (Pope & Smith Chelmsford Sunday League)
Woodham Radars vs Bramston (Pope & Smith Chelmsford Sunday League)

Weekend 2 (Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November)

Blue Marlin vs ACD United (Essex Alliance League)
Buckhurst Hill vs Great Bradfords (Rockets) (Essex Cordell Under 13s Cup)
Chelmsford City vs Takeley (Essex Cassels Under 16s Cup)
Haver Town vs Chingford Harriers (Essex Alliance League)
Ilford vs Buckhurst Hill (Essex Cassels Under 16s Cup)
Layer Colts vs Essex Minors (Hornchurch) (Falcons) (Essex Cassels Under 16s Cup)
Lymore Gardens vs Three Colts (Essex Alliance League)
Melbourne Sports vs Chingford United (Essex Alliance League)
Newham Royals vs Sungate Reserves (Essex Alliance League)
Witham Town vs Colebrook Royals (Yellows) (Essex Cassels Under 16s Cup)
Wivenhoe Tempest vs Billericay Town (Essex Cassels Under 16s Cup)

Weekend 3 (Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December)

Chelmsford City vs Hullbridge Sports (Essex County Women’s League)
Colchester Town vs Dagenham & Redbridge Girls (Essex County Girls’ League Under 13s Cup)
Dagenham & Redbridge Girls vs Writtle Minors (Essex County Girls’ League Under 15s Cup)
Dagenham & Redbridge Ladies vs Chelmsford City Reserves (Essex County Women’s League)