Liberty Wines sponsors LGBTQ+ football team

Importer and distributor Liberty Wines has announced that it will be sponsoring Soho FC – Central London’s LGBTQ+ football club.

Soho FC was founded in 2013 to provide everyone, regardless of sexuality, race, gender, disabilities, language or age, with a safe space to play the beautiful game.

The club competes in the London Unity League, which is contested between LGBTQ+ teams from across the capital, and the Gay Football Supporters Network National League (GFSN), which is between 24 teams from across the UK.

Last season, Soho FC came second in Division Two of the GFSN, winning 10 games and losing 2 but falling just shy of Leicester Wildecats on goal difference. The club came third in the London Unity League.

The sponsorship has come about because Liberty Wines does have a connection to the team – Mark Taylor, customer services supervisor, plays for them. He said: “It’s not exclusive to those who identify, we have a number of straight players, but it’s about acceptance and giving back. Most of our straight players attend gay pride plus various other events throughout the year, and are loud and proud about giving our community a voice.”

While the team itself is largely self-funded and is managed by volunteers, sponsorships help to cover the costs that come with playing in these leagues, including pitches and referees. Other sponsors of Soho FC are cocktail bar and club Freedom, on Wardour Street, and iGaming provider ComeOn.

Liberty isn’t the only drinks company to get involved in supporting good causes through football: alcohol-free beer brand Freestar launched a new footie-inspired brew to support the women’s game and raise money for youth affected by crime.