Rotherham United are proud to be backing Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces Campaign once again this year, with this Saturday’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Rochdale dedicated to supporting LGBTQ fans, players and staff across the game.
The corner flags at the Millers’ home at AESSEAL New York Stadium will be adorned with rainbow colours, while the skipper on the day will wear a special captain’s armband in the same theme. The substitution board used by the Fourth Official on the day will also be rebranded using the campaign’s colours.
Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign aims to make sport everyone’s game with national teams, leading clubs, professional players, fans and grassroots players from across football showing their support for LGBT people in sport.
On top of Stonewall’s planned support, the Millers have extended their support throughout various wings of the club and will be marking the occasion with a special 'rainbow feel' to the cover on the matchday programme. In addition to this, the Rotherham United Community Sports Trust have been delivering equality lessons in schools recently, while the club’s Women’s team will be wearing Rainbow Laces in their next home league fixture on Sunday. The RUCST’s Fan Zone will be handing out information on the work done by Stonewall and similar information will be displayed on the big screen inside AESSEAL New York Stadium prior to kick off.
Clubs across the country have united to get behind the message that football is a game for everyone, regardless of gender or sexuality. Here at Rotherham United we are committed to ensuring that ethos isn’t lost and we are proud to have once again teamed up with Rainbow Laces for this fixture, which we hope is able to help promote the good work they are doing throughout our community and beyond.
Head of Community Jamie Noble took the opportunity to reaffirm that club-wide commitment to equality and heaped praise on the work done by Stonewall through their Rainbow Laces campaign.
“Equality and inclusivity are messages that Rotherham United hold right at the top of our priorities as a football club both on and off the pitch, and a lot of work goes into ensuring that we create an environment which everyone can enjoy here at AESSEAL New York Stadium,” he told Rotherham’s New Yorker.
“The ever-growing profile of the Rainbow Laces campaign shows just how hard Stonewall have worked within football circles and we are delighted to be once again supporting their work today.
“I have spoken in a similar way about all of the campaigns that we have supported, but it is always worth mentioning how the manager runs this football club. Paul Warne has created an open and healthy environment for his players and staff at the training ground, where everyone is encouraged to speak up on anything they feel they need to air. The group is extremely accommodating and I am proud that we have a manager that has created such a fantastic atmosphere at the club.”