Welcome to Queer by Gum FC!
Hello and welcome to Queer by Gum FC! We’re an inclusive LGBTQ+ mixed football team, hosting casual kickabouts, practise sessions, and friendly local matches. We place an emphasis on fun and inclusion and are open to all genders and abilities (even if you’ve never played before!), strive to keep costs low or non-existent, and there’s no commitment - you can show up whenever you fancy. We welcome anyone who wants to come join us to email us, follow our Instagram or join our WhatsApp and Spond groups to receive up to date information but below you can find some information to help you get started.
About Us
Queer by Gum FC, a branch of Queer by Gum CIC, was established in September 2023. What started as weekly casual kickabouts has expanded and grown into participating in friendly local matches and tournaments that celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Our weekly practises are open to anyone in, or an ally of, the LGBTQ+ community and include basic football skills and casual friendly games. After a successful funding campaign in early 2024, three of our team members are being selected for ‘Introduction to Coaching’ training via England Football learning (including Intro to First Aid + Safeguarding). Our goal? To keep growing our team in a safe and welcoming environment.
Code of Conduct
As a team, we adhere to a strict code of conduct to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all our members. Our code of conduct can be found online and we can provide you with a copy if needed. It is expected all members to abide by it.
Practise Sessions and Games
We currently hold casual football practise sessions every Monday from 7pm-8:30pm at Lancaster University’s Astro Turf Pitch. We typically start off with a warm-up, followed by approximately 45 minutes of basic football skill-enhancing drills. Designed to suit different skill levels from beginner to advanced players our football skills and drills aim to allow everyone the opportunity to just come along for the fun or better their own football at a pace that is right for them. The session always concludes with a friendly 45-minute match focused on fun and inclusion.
We use the Spond app to share practice session times and match details, allowing everyone to confirm their attendance each week. This helps us plan sessions accurately based on the number of participants. We recommend downloading the app and joining our Spond group to stay updated on practices and games: https://group.spond.com/ZGWFR.
What to Wear and Safety
We recommend wearing what you’re comfortable in, but we recommend wearing athletic and breathable clothing and proper footwear. As we currently use an Astroturf pitch, trainers or Astro-friendly boots are advisable. We also encourage shin guards and support aides as required. We have qualified first-aiders on the team and bring a first aid kit to every session and match.
We ask team members to use their own discretion in disclosing any medical conditions or disabilities that may impact their ability to participate in Queer by Gum FC’s practices, trainings, or games. We encourage all members to seek professional medical advice if they have any concerns about their ability to participate.
Please contact footballclub@queerbygum.org.uk with any questions or concerns regarding fitness to participate in our activities. Any medical details will only be shared with coaches, first aiders or other medical professionals who may need this information in order to meet your specific medical needs.
‘Try Before You Buy’
Most importantly, you’re welcome to ‘try before you buy’. Feel free to come along to any of our practise sessions just to watch and get a feel for the team before participating. DM us on Instagram or email us at footballclub@queerbygum.org.uk if you have any questions!
