17 May 2024 , 08:00
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Saturday's GFSN Cup final is being touted as a landmark moment for LGBT+ footballers.
Village Manchester face Charlton Invicta in the showpiece event, which will be held at an EFL ground for the first time. Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park will be the venue for the final of the prestigious competition, which sees 21 LGBT+ inclusive teams from across the UK and Ireland clash in an FA Cup-style knockout tournament.
Manchester are looking to win a record-extending fifth GFSN Cup and their third in four years. Despite that illustrious history, the club opted to approach the Cup in a different way this season under new manager Dewi Evans.
With six teams and more than 150 players, Village are the largest LGBT+ team in the UK. And Evans was keen to bring players from across the club into his squad for this year's cup.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, he said: "We got knocked out early last year so taking a squad of people from our six teams into the final, getting really good results along the way is a big achievement. Previous years, we've maybe picked stronger squads.
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"This year we really wanted to value the overall club that we've got now. We've got six teams, over 100 players. So being able to do that and get to the final, hopefully pick up a trophy is going to be massive. It will be a really big achievement if we can do that.
"This year we wanted to win it, but we wanted to win it the right way. In the semi-finals we had a starter from every team at the club. So it's not only reclaiming the trophy, but also winning it in a really good way that showcases the best things about a club like ours.
"The opportunity to play at any kind of Football League ground is really special. When we found out about it after the semi-final, the buzz that went round the club was really exciting."
Village Manchester (in red) are aiming to win a record-extending fifth GFSN Cup (GORDON MARINO)Manchester knocked out holders Yorkshire Terriers in the first round proper before comfortably beating GFSN Division 1 champions Mersey Marauders in the semi-finals. But it is the preliminary round win over London Freedom on penalties that stands out to Evans.
"We had to push that game back twice because of train strikes, as a club we were worried if we were even going to be able to raise a squad. We were finding it really difficult to get a team together that would be able to get to London for the game," he said.
"Eventually we got 12 people together who managed to get there, we were all on the coach at 7am. We won the game on penalties and it was the most stressful football match of my life. Having put all that together and the effort put in to get a squad there, to then win just about on penalties was a big standout.
"We've had really, really tough games. Three out of the four games that we've played have been really testing. It just shows how well we've done as a club in terms of having the squad that we've had. Really pulling together.
"Especially in that first game. That one for me if we do win the trophy, I'll be talking a lot about that Freedom game, how important it was. The penalty shootout is right up there in terms of experiences I've had since I've been at Village."
While this will be Manchester's sixth GFSN Cup final, it is the first time that Charlton have reached this stage of the competition. But club committee member Daniel Crump is confident the occasion will not get to their players.
"For the club this is a monumental achievement. At the start of the season we never had any ambitions of a cup run. We just wanted to enjoy the season as a group. The team spirit and camaraderie has carried the team through to a first GFSN Cup final," he told Mirror Football.
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"Everyone should be extremely proud. Walking the players out at Prenton Park will be a very proud moment. A fitting venue for our maiden GFSN cup final. It should be an exciting day for the club.
Charlton Invicta (in red) have reached their first-ever GFSN Cup final"Village Manchester are a fantastic side. They have a rich history in the GFSN Cup and I know this will be the biggest test for our group. But everyone will give their all and anything can happen in football."
The final is being promoted as a real landmark moment for the GFSN, with Tranmere hailing their hosting of the day as a 'proud statement' about inclusion. The GFSN's Paul Williams is keen to highlight how far football has come.
He told Mirror Football: "The GFSN are delighted that this season's Cup final between Village Manchester and Charlton Invicta will take place at Prenton Park, the home of Tranmere Rovers.
"Not only is this a fitting venue for a final it is a great step for LGBTQ+ football as we build partnerships with football clubs and communities throughout the football pyramid. We hope to not only have a great afternoon of football but to promote our values of inclusion and togetherness. Our message is that that football is for all."
The teams though are trying to stay focused on the matter at hand, with the achievement of winning the Cup likely to be the standout moment of their careers. Evans adds: "I joined the club as a teenager in 2019. The kind of things the club has allowed me to do in five years, I've gone from a fourth team player to a manager, who's managing in the national cup final.
"I'm really thankful for that. I've made so many friends along the way, especially on the back of Covid, being able to win a trophy, because you don't get many opportunities at our level to win trophies and medals. From a personal perspective it would be a really good moment."
Crump is also under no illusions as to what the final means to Invicta, who are partnered with League One side Charlton Athletic. He concluded: "The GFSN Cup final is arguably the biggest game in the history of Charlton Invicta. It’s a real achievement to have got this far. But winning the cup would be unbelievable and certainly be a very proud moment for everyone."
Tickets are priced at £5 for supporters and can be bought here.
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