Millwall Romans are on the march since their rebranding, quickly becoming the premier LGBTQI football team in London.
The side was created in 2006 and began playing their football in the newly established London Unity League, a competition which provides LGBTQI individuals and their allies with a friendly sporting environment.
Originally named the London Romans, the club went through a rebranding in early 2020 after Sean Daly, the Millwall Community Trust chief executive, offered to bring the club under Millwall’s wing.
Manager Paul Loding and team captain Jay Lemonius, intrigued by the proposition, went to meet Daly with an air of scepticism but exited the talks suitably impressed.
“Millwall doesn’t have the greatest reputation but when we heard what the trust was about, and what they wanted to offer us, we knew it was more than worth it,” Loding told the South London Press.
Loding and Lemonius accepted Millwall’s offer of financial support and a training site at St Paul’s Sports Ground in Rotherhithe.
Lemonius said: “What’s important is that we create a positive and inclusive environment for anyone who wants to play football.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re LGBTQ or not. As a club, what we do off the pitch is just as important as what we do on the pitch. We want to spread the message of LGBTQ inclusion and have an environment beyond our football which emulates us.
“We’re particularly appealing to younger people who are questioning their sexual orientation or questioning whether football is a safe space for them. And we have so many role models around the club who can help with these sorts of struggles...Read More
