Just A Ball Game? Giant flag handover to Lionesses in Australia.                                             (re published)   Several months ago JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) a grass roots LGBT+ inclusion campaign, decided to make a giant version of an existing England Lionesses flag which is taken to matches to support the team, and take it out to Australia for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.  The aim was to have good luck messages and names written by fans on the flag from those unable to travel the 10,500 miles to attend the finals themselves. The project was supported by North West and Irish region of the GMB Trade Union to help cover the costs of having the 20 foot flag made up and flown out with resources as extra baggage allowance. Lindsay England founder of JBG? and a GMB activist said, “All too many times people think that trade unions only want folks out on strike as they are not aware of the great work done by trade union members around equality strands and support for charitable causes.” The flag was taken to several cities around the country to both Lionesses and WSL games including at Wembley, London, Brighton, MKDons and Manchester. Over 4500 messages and names were collected on the flag and many Lionesses supporters were excited to follow the flags journey on social media as it travelled around the world. Prior to the Lionesses 2nd group game in Sydney, JBG?’s Lindsay and co-chair Ste were kindly invited by FA staff along to an open training session in Gosford NSW where the giant flag was handed over to captain Millie Bright and manager Sarina Weigman. On the flags safe return home to England after the tournament that it will be part of an event and added to fan memorabilia collections at the National Football Museum. Many thanks to the FA/ Lionesses staff and Lionesses for allowing this fan venture to happen.    End.                                                                                                                      Further info please contact : info@justaballgame.co.uk

Published on - Wed, 20 Nov 2024

                 NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM GIVEN JUST A BALL GAME? ANNUAL AWARD FOR 2024. JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) is pleased to announce that the NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM, has received the JBG? annual award for their efforts to combat discrimination and increase awareness of LGBT+ inclusion and visibility. The presentation which was part of the non-profit organisation's 14th anniversary, was held at the Urbis site on November 9th 2024. The silver salver award handover took place as part of the museum’s football grassroots fair day. Over the past 12 months the museum and staff have given fantastic support to JBG? with allowing our campaign to host a stall and or our educational exhibition panels on no less than 18 days throughout the year.The museum has strived to make their workplace inclusive and LGBT+ people visiting feel represented and included in all aspects of the space and memorabilia. Founder of JBG? Lindsay England expressed, “The NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM are extremely deserving of this award for their time shown to LGBT+ visitors and contributors and a wider audience. They are always keen learn and lead on issues of equality, inclusion and diversity and have been welcoming of JUST A BALL GAME?’ s efforts since the museum relocated to its present space in Manchester in 2012.” Dr Gabrielle Heffernan, who is Director of Content at the museum was presented with the award and had this to say: “We are delighted to receive this award from Just A Ball Game? in recognition for our ongoing commitment to equity across all aspects of the game and ensuring everyone can explore why football matters. The LGBTQ+ community have been incredibly supportive of our programming and collecting, and we will continue to drive representation across our content, as football is everyone’s game.” End.

Published on - Wed, 20 Nov 2024

  JUST A BALL GAME?                                              MEDIA RELEASE- For immediate release.                                         ©   2023-2028. SECOND INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR JUST A BALL GAME? JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) are excited to announce for the second year in a row they have been given a global award. JBG? are winners of monthly digital magazine Acquisition International's non-profit awards for: LGBT+ Inclusion & Visibility in Sports Award 2024 - UK AI say:” Our communities are the very backbone of today’s world, and this year’s awardees have truly demonstrated their dedication towards supporting a plethora of communities – large and small. No matter how they are needed, our winners act as a buttress for many. Of course, plenty of us feel like we have to do it all alone but, with the help of these extraordinary organisations – and the individuals who make them all possible – we never have to walk alone again.”Awards Coordinator Jessie Wilson took a moment to comment on the success of this year’s winners: “I’m delighted to have connected with so many organisations that are making a huge positive impact on the world around them. They’re committed, loyal, and integral to our society, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for them. Congratulations on your successes, you deserve every bit of recognition.” Acquisition International prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. All awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition. Founder of JBG? Lindsay says, “It’s fantastic to be recognised as a non -profit by a business and online media company for the second time in a row in only its 4th year of the awards, and we hope that our small but dedicated volunteer team can continue to make waves in both grass roots and professional football and other sports showcasing inclusion and visibility of LGBT+ people.” Acquisition International is a monthly magazine brought to you by AI Global Media Ltd, a publishing house that has reinvigorated corporate finance news and reporting. Each month the magazine is circulated to in- excess of 85,000 professionals, including Top Tier Managers, Investment Professionals, Business Advisers and Service Providers.  End. Contact for further information: info@justaballgame.co.uk  Founder-Lindsay England

Published on - Mon, 14 Oct 2024

  JUST A BALL GAME? MEDIA RELEASE- For immediate release.                                         GOSSIP RETURN, IT’S LIKE THEY’VE NEVER BEEN AWAY. It’s not often that two worlds collide. But when our LGBT+ campaign organisation JUST A BALL GAME? needed help almost 14 years ago in stepped Arkansas/Portland punks THE GOSSIP, to lend a helping hand in ensuring we obtained our very first flyers, banners and t-shirts, by way of a much needed minimal donation, and a synthesis was created when they agreed to become our Patrons.. For those unfamiliar, our non-profit campaign looks at raising awareness of LGBT+ visibility and inclusion in football (soccer) and other sports. LGBT+ musicians stepped in where the football authorities and excessively paid professional players turned the other cheek. Football, music, art and LGBT+ communities often overlap, and not just in our teenage years. Beth Ditto, Nathan Howdeshell and Hannah Blilie (Gossip) have indeed traversed a complex path from their raw, underground beginnings to becoming emblematic figures for inclusivity and defiance. The journey of the band highlights not just the evolution of their music from raucous punk to a more polished disco, indie, alternative dance fusion, but also the journey of societal attitudes towards diversity, inclusion and acceptance.Ditto's fearless embrace of her identity was radical at the band's inception, challenging norms and inspiring countless individuals. Her visibility as a "lesbian and blatantly feminist" figure at the forefront of a successful band broke barriers and made space for discussions around body positivity, queer rights, and feminism in spaces where these conversations might not have previously occurred. Their music, vibrant and unapologetic, resonated particularly in Europe and the UK, though they maintained a loyal following in the US among those touched by their message and energy. The pause in their career highlights the personal growth and changes each member faced, showcasing that behind their public personas were individual journeys of self-discovery and change. The 2019 reunion for the anniversary tour for the “Music For Men” album and the forthcoming March 22nd release of "Real Power" come at a time when the messages Gossip has long championed are being echoed more widely across society. The resurgence isn't just about the band making music again; it symbolizes the enduring relevance of their advocacy and the continued fight for inclusivity and acceptance. At Berlin’s Lido venue the night before the vinyl, CD’s and streams are released old and new generations of fans will unite for what will be an undoubtable experience worth the wait.   The origins of Gossip in Arkansas, a place not widely recognized for its punk or queer scenes, further illuminate the band's defiance against mainstream expectations. Their transition from a raw, untutored sound to a more refined yet equally potent musical force speaks to their development as artists. Gossip’s journey, characterized by authenticity, defiance, and a deep bond among its members, encapsulates the essence of punk's confrontational spirit and the enduring impact of music on individual and collective consciousness. Their continuance as a band, marked by a hiatus and triumphant return, celebrates not only their musical evolution but also their lasting influence on societal attitudes towards queerness, body positivity, and the power of living authentically. 

Published on - Wed, 20 Mar 2024

   Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity are given JUST A BALL GAME? award 2023.  JUST A BALL GAME? have announced that this year’s LGBT+ inclusion and visibility award has been given to SPARKLE- THE NATIONAL TRANSGENDER CHARITY.  Sparkle have been fighting inequality and discrimination for almost two decades now. And, they pride themselves with one of their core values being that their events remain free to attend and are accessible to everyone.  JBG? say: “We first joined forces with Sparkle 3 years ago and have supported as much of their work as we could since then in the form of event days and helping out with providing resources for community members who are active and campaigning.  In the past year we have seen the Manchester based charity do their upmost to continue the workload they have before them through many difficult, challenging and forever changing circumstances.”  “The young volunteers have given their all to help others despite attempts from some UK government ministers wanting to overhaul parts of the Equality Act, and worrying increases of hate crimes both online and directed personally at people.”  On receiving the silver salver, the team at Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity, say they are delighted to have won the 2023 Just A Ball Game? Award!   “We are pleased to be acknowledged for our community passion and volunteer-led mission to the trans community.”  One of our new Key Volunteers, Chlo (they/them) said: “It’s so easy to get lost in the work we do. It never feels enough. This award meant so much to myself and the team to see the work we are doing has so much impact! Thank you for recognising us, we can’t wait to show you what we’ve got planned for 2024!”    End. Contact for further information: 07788474754. Founder-Lindsay England info@justaballgame.co.uk  

Published on - Mon, 11 Dec 2023

                        Just A Ball Game? vitrines feature at National Football Museum as part of 13th birthday celebrations.Celebrations for Just A Ball Game?’s 13th birthday begin on 9th November 2023 with the unveiling of two vitrines which will feature trophies, medals and other memorabilia from JBG’s Women’s Futsal/Fives team alongside their campaign materials at the National Football Museum . The team won 16 league, cup and tournament titles between their formation in January 2014 and April 2018, and finished regional and national runners up a further 3 times during those 4 years of dominance.   Alongside the exhibit cases JBG? will have their patrons women’s game exhibition panels on display and a small stand handing out free resources to those visiting the museum this week.    The LGBT+ campaign has been working with the National Football Museum on a number of event days since it opened its doors on the Urbis site in the summer of 2012. It’s hoped that in February 2024 JBG? will co-curate a fan exhibition featuring items collected from the 2023 Women’s World Cup, including a giant 20ft flag with over 4.500 fan names and messages of support for England’s Lionesses WWC Final squad alongside media and photographic collections from supporters who travelled out to Australia and New Zealand for the tournament. The JBG? displays and staffed stand can be visited on these dates: Thursday 9th Nov 10am -5pm, Friday 10th Nov 12noon to 5pm, and Saturday 11th Nov 10am to 5pm.  End.  

Published on - Wed, 08 Nov 2023

  JUST A BALL GAME?- MEDIA RELEASE- For immediate release.                              International award for JUST A BALL GAME?  JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) Are very proud to announce they have been given a global award. JBG? are winners of monthly digital magazine Acquisition Internationals non-profit awards for:  Most Dedicated Sports Anti-LGBTQ+ Discrimination Organisation 2023 – UK. https://www.acquisition-international.com/winners/just-a-ball-game/ AI say: Our Non-Profit Organisation Awards have been a fantastic journey and an eye-opening experience as we yet again highlight a selection of dedicated organisations. They each put the welfare of individuals before all else, and it shows. Featuring a collection of wellbeing support to financial hardship aid, and more, this year’s programme has allowed us to explore many avenues within the non-profit sphere. The compassion and action we have seen is tremendous, and we are proud to present our winners to the world. Awards Coordinator Holly Blackwood took a moment to comment on the success of this year’s winners: “Hosting the Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2023 has been a pleasure. It’s great to see the diverse mixture of organisations which consistently offer help to people everywhere, and I wish them all the best for the rest of 2023 – and beyond!” Acquisition International prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. All awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition. Founder of JBG? Lindsay England says, “It’s fantastic to be recognised as a non -profit by a business and online media company in only its 3rd year of the awards, and we hope that our small but dedicated volunteer team can continue to make waves in both grass roots and professional football and other sports showcasing inclusion and visibility of LGBT+ people.”  Acquisition International is a monthly magazine brought to you by AI Global Media Ltd, a publishing house that has reinvigorated corporate finance news and reporting. launched in 2010, and has, over the years, evolved into a business title that professionals rely on to bring them the business knowledge, insight and news they need. Each month our magazine is circulated to in-excess of 85,000 professionals, including Top Tier Managers, Investment Professionals, Business Advisers and Service Providers. Contact for further information: Founder-Lindsay England   info@justaballgame.co.uk  

Published on - Mon, 17 Jul 2023

   JUST A BALL GAME? Introducing our new patron- Asif Burhan. We are excited to announce that Forbes journalist and our friend Asif Burhan has joined JUST A BALL GAME? as our new patron! This patronage reflects Asif’s commitment to outstanding international reporting on women’s football and his ongoing dedication to supporting an LGBT+ community alongside our very own campaign. Asif Burhan, journalist, “It is impossible to cover women’s football effectively without also being an advocate for LGBT+ rights. Lindsay’s tireless work is inspirational for anyone who feels no-one is listening and her struggle to make her voice heard has mirrored my own over the last decade in attempting to get women’s football recognised by the mainstream media. I’m proud to be a patron for Just A Ball Game? as they continue their fight to help everyone historically marginalised in society feel valued and respected.” Asif has been reporting on men’s and women’s football from across the globe for around 25 years visiting in excess of 50 counties. He also writes for anti-discrimination charity KICK IT OUT and The Morning Star newspaper. Alongside his print news Asif often attains (through short videos) visual media providing insight into players personal stories and breaking news.  “I would like to thank Asif for both his extensive knowledge and coverage of female footballers, women’s clubs and international teams alongside giving a voice to those LGBT+ people who play, work in, and support our often marginalized intersectional communities. The exposure of players and managers from within an LGBT+ community to be ‘out, proud and kicking’ and comfortable in telling their lived experience through Asif’s media contribution is immense. Asif is also a willing ambassador for younger people aspiring to become journalists themselves. He strives always day-to-day to bring us important and influential stories from and about our beautiful game.” Lindsay England – Founder, JUST A BALL GAME? End. 

Published on - Tue, 09 May 2023

JUST A BALL GAME? JOINS QATAR PROTEST IN BERLIN As associate members, LGBT+ campaign organisation JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) and Bradford City LGBT+ Fan Group  recently joined German and Swiss Queer Football Fan Clubs (QFF) and other activists for a protest outside the Qatar Embassy in Berlin. Following on from the 2015 Play Fair Qatar campaign set up by the TUC (Trades Union Congress) and delivered across mainland Europe in football by JUST A BALL GAME? many of these activists have joined forces on the days leading up to Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup to once again shine a spotlight on  the human rights violations by the authorities there. In 2010 FIFA’s existing council members granted the Gulf state the hosting of the tournament but they failed massively in not taking on any due diligence around the discrimination against women, laws and penal codes faced by LGBT+ people (which ultimately could see them face imprisonment or execution) , concerns for journalists and press freedoms and no protections against poor working and living conditions for migrants, many brought in under the atrocious Kafala system which is effectively modern day slavery. A corruption scandal followed by a leadership change in 2016 for the World’s governing body of football saw the introduction of a human rights policy and UN guidance. The end of 2019 saw several reforms to human rights in Qatar forced though by trade union and human rights campaigners from across the globe, but FIFA failed miserably once more by not putting into practise those policies and principals effectively for those working on construction of the stadiums and other infrastructure, and as a result thousand of unexplained (not investigated) deaths have occurred.   Countless German and Swiss Fan clubs, Ultras and political campaigners have stepped up their peaceful protests during matches and held demonstrations and even art installations to highlight concerns in the more recent years and months leading up to the start of the sports show-piece event. This action has been seen and replicated around the world with the messages strengthened and supported by a number national FA’s competing and players from those teams alike. The silence from both FIFA and the Qatari Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy on all of these issues is deafening apart from the universal “Football is for All” and “Everyone is Welcome” spouted almost daily.  At the same time these so called leaders and ambassadors are sending out instructions that local laws need to be obeyed and by being a homosexual you are “damaged in the mind” along with “ please do not allow football  to be dragged into every ideological and political battle that exists.” Lindsay England - Founder of JUST A BALL GAME? and a GMB Trade Unionist from the UK (who has had bilateral discussions with FIFA’s  head of human rights and anti-discrimination, along with delivery and legacy leaders) joined fellow QFF members and campaigners at the Berlin rally and spoke the following:  “Together we can claim some small victories with the several changes implemented for the rights of migrant workers in recent years, but we must keep the pressure on… and we must do more.” “Our LGBT+ siblings in Qatar are not free, Not free to love and be loved, Not free to have the courage and self –confidence to share their core identity, Not free to meet, to shop, to party, to work, to live, Not free to be educated or too educate, Not free to enjoy music, the arts, or share our passion of football and other sports which so many around the world take for granted as they reside in a country ruled by an outdated Qatari authoritarian regime.” End.FLOODLIGHTS ON FOR LGBTIQ RIGHTS IN QATAR.Today’s rally exists because homophobia, biphobia andtransphobia exist every day the world over.Same-sex relationships are criminalized in Qatar, ourcampaign organisations, activists and Queer Football FanClubs hope issues can be highlighted while the spotlight ison the Gulf state for the men’s World Cup, which begins in afew days time.Trade Unions, Human Rights organizations and workersacross the world have been united in solidarity in keepingthe pressure on the Qatari state for a number of years andcalled for an end to Kafala and all other unacceptable slavelabor practice. They called for acceptable living wages, toimproved working, safety and living conditions for migrantswho have built the tournament structures. And, sadly all toooften for compensation and dignity to families and friendsfollowing confirmation of the countless, needless deaths overthe past decade.Together we can claim some small victories with the severalchanges implemented in recent years, but we must keep thepressure on… and we must do more.What was once a working class sport enjoyed by localcommunities became a middle class pleasure, owned bybusinessmen, then a super rich persons play thing to betossed away when they became bored. Now we find thatfootball in some respects has fallen on its own sword andlost its meaning and its soul.The football world’s governing body leaders need to taketheir own share of the responsibility for awarding the Qatarstate the privilege of being hosts without firstly ensuring itsown ethics and principles, statutes and codes of conduct inall areas were met. Frustratingly all too often these people inpower put the safety net of high salaries their own glory andself esteem before any meaningful substance behind theplatitudes, or the safe guarding of others involved in ourbeautiful game from grassroots to professional levels.Our LGBT+ siblings in Qatar are not free,not free to love and be loved,not free to meet, to shop, to party, to work, to live,not free to be educated or too educate,not free to enjoy music, the arts, or share our passion offootball and other sports which so many around the worldtake for granted as they reside in a country ruled by anoutdated Qatari authoritarian regime.Despite hate and persecution existing, many LGBT+ peoplein 2022 feel they have a voice, they need to be seen andheard and are proud to take a stand for true equality,inclusion and diversity of others.LGBT+ RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS.Today’s LGBT+ inclusion and visibility is tomorrow’sLGBT+ history.Lindsay England –founder of, JUST A BALL GAME?  

Published on - Thu, 17 Nov 2022

JUST A BALL GAME?    MEDIA RELEASE                                ENGLAND LIONESSES PRESENTED WITH JUST A BALL GAME? AWARD.  Grassroots LGBT+ campaign organisation JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) announce they have presented  ENGLAND LIONESSES with their annual award for LGBT+ inclusion and visibility. Each year JBG? look to reward good practise from an individual or an organisation who have done their best over the previous 12 months around challenging homophobic, biphobic and transphobic behaviour, alongside enthusiastic LGBT+ inclusion and visibility. The UEFA 2022 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS were presented the silver salver award at the St George’s Park training camp by JBG? founder Lindsay England and patron Emily Ramsey, who herself is a goalkeeper for the Lionesses u23’s. England says, “The current Lionesses are busy shaping tomorrow with their perceived intrinsic value and understanding on the drivers of change.” “Over the past 12-18 months it’s been amazing to see over half of the squads chosen to play be comfortable enough to do so while they are ‘out proud and kicking’ and the support they have from their peers and the football management and backroom staff teams.”   The women’s game has always strived to be unique in its delivery of the sport both on and off the field despite decades of obstacles placed in the way. This summer, those fruits of that labour of love with elite athletes backed by a partisan sell out Wembley Stadium history was made -together. “What the Lionesses have achieved on the pitch this year was brilliant, but what they have done to inspire a generation is something else. To see all the new fans at women’s games and for young girls to want to play football on the back of this momentous year in sport will make waves for years to come. A truly inspirational team worthy of the award.” -JBG? co-chair Steven Grocock. End. 

Published on - Fri, 11 Nov 2022