Chesterfield FC Community Trust has been nominated in the Community Trust or Foundation category at the 2026 Football V Homophobia awards.
The nomination is for supporting the Rainbow Spireites LGBTQ+ fans group, delivering workshops in local schools and facilitating youth and community programmes.
Deputy head of community at the Trust, Keith Jackson, commented on the nomination, saying: “The Trust is delighted to be nominated again, after winning their award in 2024, which was an honour for us.
“Rainbow Spireites are a big part of the organisation, and making sure that supporters from the LGBTQ+ community feel safe and want to attend football matches. We’re doing a lot of work in schools, educating young people around language, equity, diversity and inclusion.
“We have also rolled out staff training on LGBTQ+ matters, and staff are also attending Premier League Foundation training, which is all about making sure that the Trust is an inclusive space for everyone.”
Commented of the support they have received from the Trust, Ellie and Darren Yates of Rainbow Spireites said: “The Trust has actively supported Rainbow Spireites from the start. When we were looking to set up as an official Supporters’ Group, Keith Jackson supported us with this and with activations on rainbow ball matchdays.
“It’s an inclusive space for all, and the Trust has hosted Rainbow Spireites meet-ups before rainbow ball matchdays and with our fellow supporters’ groups in the regional alliance, allowing us to welcome people from the LGBTQ+ community to our football club.”
