Pompey to dedicate upcoming Bristol Rovers tie to Football Versus Homophobia campaign

Pompey will dedicate their upcoming Bristol Rovers home tie on Saturday to communities facing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Portsmouth manager Paul Cook’s squad will sport T-shirts carrying the Football Versus Homophobia logo to raise awareness of the cause.

Chairman of Fratton Fever, Pompey’s first LGBT supporters’ group Linda Webb-Bowman, 58, said: ‘There are some things you’ve got to stand up for.

‘Portsmouth is a community football club and they’re keen to create a safe environment for all – both fans and players.’

The initiative was created by the Justin Campaign in 2010, 12 years on from the suicide of homosexual footballer Justin Fashanu in 1998.

Pompey previously supported the Football Versus Homophobia campaign in February 2015, with the dedication of their 1-0 win at home to Exeter City.

Ms Webb-Bowman said: ‘Once upon a time, if you said you were gay – walking down the street or in the pub – you’d have got beaten up.

‘Now, people all over the country are starting to become more accepting.’