Birmingham Blaze
July 2005
In July 2005 six courageous souls braved the wind and the rain for the inaugural training session of Birmingham’s first LGBT football team.
Blaze plays in the national Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) League. The League has ten clubs, drawn mainly from the country’s major cities.
Playing History
"Blaze debuted at the 2005 Leicester 6-a-side tournament and performed credibly, despite only having been formed a few weeks earlier. The first 11-a-side game followed shortly after, against London Leftfooters – a well established club who have gone on to become the closest of our many friends around the country. We took to the field hoping to keep the score down and maybe nick a consolation goal. Incredibly, we turned a 2-0 half-time deficit into a 5-3 win and left the field speechless for the only time in the Club’s history.
The spirit shown on that day in London has characterised all Blaze performances since. We’ve won some, lost some and been hammered a few times – during the match as well as before and after it. Whatever the result, the players and supporters have never given anything less than 100% from start to finish. This was recognised by the Club being awarded with the Fair Play trophy at the London Football for All tournament in 2006.
Over the last few months, the win-lose ratio has improved dramatically as existing players have come on and new ones have been welcomed to the fold. Opponents meeting us now are still guaranteed an enjoyable game, but also find themselves facing a steely defence, a skilful midfield and some prolific goal scorers.
The list of achievements is growing steadily. Recent highlights include reaching the later stages of the Yorkshire 5-a-side tournament and beating the defending champions, Brighton, 5-2 in the last game of the 2006/07 league season. However the crowning glory was victory in the recent Nottingham 11-a-side tournament, the first time we’ve come home with the cup and the medals. Blaze On!"
Source Press Release Trail Blazers By Andy Connor and Terry Connolly
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