Just a Ball Game? 5th birthday Award to Bradford Brewery
A week ago on 9th November Just A Ball Game? (JBG?) celebrated their 5th Birthday. As in previous years the annual Tackling Homophobia in Football Award was presented by JBG? and this year (2015) it was given to BRADFORD BREWERY for their support in creating Bradford City LGBT fan group (@BfdCityLGBT) and also designating the bar as a safe space for LGBT fans on a match day.
JBG? founder Lindsay England presented the silver salver to Brewery Owner Roy Davison (pictured above wearing one of JBG?'s ltd edition claret & amber shirts!) and it was immediately put on display for staff and customers to admire.
Alison Jackel, Manager of the Bradford Brewery had this to say on learning of the award: " I'm proud the Bradford Brewery has been given the 2015 Tackling Homophobia in Football Award and we are very happy giving support to Just A Ball Game? We are proud we are the only 'straight ally' bar in the world to offer a dedicated safe space for LGBT fans on a match day and beyond. It's important to stand up to homophobia. I personally will stand by JBG? to educate and support against homophobia."
The birthday celebrations continued during the week when JBG? also gained support from Bantams Banter podcast presenters TOM & DOM who spoke about JBG? and the Bradford City LGBT fan group on their West Yorkshire Sport radio show. Anyone who missed the recording can catch up here for a few days: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p035qnhf
We end our week with the official announcement of a second football club to come under the JBG? brand as a group of professional women in the North West who play recreational 5-a-side football to keep fit and healthy have partnered with us to become another Just A Ball Game? team known as JBG? MERSEYSIDE. The team play in a league at the Netherton Goals Soccer Centre on a Thursday evening and proudly wear our JBG? strip.
