'We let our football do the talking': Meet the football club breaking down barriers

They’ve become the talk of the terraces after starring in Carling’s national advertising campaign.

But Black Country Fusion FC are also turning heads because they are a team with a difference.

And it’s one they’re extremely proud of because they are playing a part in kicking discrimination out of the game.

Founded by Skye Stewart, they became the first LGBTQ+ inclusive club in the West Midlands to enter a mainstream Sunday league in 2016.

Since then they’ve achieved plenty of success both on and off the field as they help to break down barriers.

But it hasn’t always been easy for the side which faced some prejudice from opposing teams and spectators during their early games.

“At first we did experience some homophobia and transphobia from other players and people watching the games but we started showing people what we could do and that we weren’t going accept and tolerate this abuse.

“We let our football do the talking. Negative comments just make me stronger and more determined to be successful,” explains Skye.

The 35-year-old, who is an openly transgender woman, set up the club as a way of improving equality in football.

Growing up, Skye had found it tough to get into the typically macho world of football

Despite being a life-long fan of the game, she feared she wouldn’t belong or would be judged by others.

“I’ve always like sport especially football and athletics but when I was growing up I shied away from sport.

“I just didn’t feel comfortable getting involved. I feared I would be bullied and I wouldn’t fit in so I chose to stay away from sport,” says Skye.

She also believed there was also a lack of opportunities in the area for the LGBTQ+ community to get involved in football and other sports without fear of being judged or suffering abuse.

“The LGBTQ+ community is really under-represented in sport in Wolverhampton. One day I decided I was fed up of not being able to get involved in something I loved.

“I decided I wanted to create a club that was completely inclusive and would welcome anyone who wanted to play football.

“I wanted to give them the chance to come and play football in a safe environment with other people who won’t judge them

“I had watched a bit of grass roots football and I felt I knew enough to set up a club and make it a success,” says Skye, who lives in East Park, Wolverhampton.

The club played in the Beacon Afternoon League between 2016 and 2018, finishing seventh and sixth in the respective seasons.

They have also played in the Staffordshire FA affiliated cups, getting to the semi-finals in the 2017/18 season.

Following the conclusion of this season, Fusion signed a deal with WMRL Premier League side, Black Country Rangers, to become part of the newly-formed Black Country Football Club and play their home games at Wolverhampton United in Prestwood Road West.

Black Country Fusion, which also have a veterans side, now play in the fourth division of the Wolverhampton and District Sunday Football League and are sitting proudly near the top of the table.

“I want to offer as many opportunities as possible for people to play football and to feel like they belong. We have big plans for the future including an academy,” says Skye.

They were chosen to be part of Carling’s ‘made local’ advertising campaign and also received funding for new home and away kits.

The 30-second ad, which has appeared across TV, video-on-demand and social media, opens with a view of a housing estate.

“Yeah, looks like there’s nothing going on,”, says a voiceover, before a Carling logo appears on-screen.

“But scratch the surface and you’ll see...” The logo peels back to reveal a washing line full of pink football shirts.

The ad then cuts to footage of the team playing, with team members talking over the action. “You’re gay, you’re straight, you’re black, you’re white, it doesn’t matter,” says one. “As long as you can play the game, you’re in.”

Skye said the reaction since the Carling advert first aired had been ‘overwhelming’ and she was grateful for the support the club received.

Liam Stevens, from Wednesbury, a former academy player for Stoke City and Port Vale, has been playing for Black Country Fusion for three years.

“I played at a high level when I was younger but I kind of fell out of love with football.

“Then a friend told me about about Fusion and what they were doing - and I thought I’ve got to play for them.

“I’ve always been interested in helping people who don’t have the opportunity to play football.

“It’s really good to be part of the team and you really feel like everybody is welcome,” says Liam.

The 23-year-old was pleased to take part in the Carling advert saying it had helped to raise awareness.

“It’s really shed the light on what we’re trying to do at Black Country Fusion.

“We do get the odd negative and homophobic comment when you’re on the pitch and it can be hard dealing with that but we’re a strong-minded team and we don’t let it stop us.

“We don’t have any players that are gay but we’re trying to shed light on what we are doing so if there are gay players wanting to get into football they know they will be welcome at this club. I want to encourage everyone who wants to play football to get involved.

“I know that people have found it hard to get into football because there is a lad culture and it’s doubly-hard if you’re gay.

“We just want everybody to know they are welcome at Black Country Fusion FC,” adds the midfielder.

Striker Jonny Chapman, has been with the club since its formation in 2016, and was the top goal scorer for the first two seasons and says he’s proud to be part of the team.

“I joined the club because a few of my friends were joining but I became really good friends with Skye and I really believe in what the team stands for.

“It gives you another reason to be part of the team as well as having fun with the lads playing football,” explains the 29-year-old, who lives in Wednesbury.

He enjoyed the experience of being filmed for the Carling advert in which he can be seen scoring a goal and said the response had been positive.

WATCH the film here:

“Every time the advert airs I get a few messages from my friends. It’s been really good and gets the message out about what the team believes in,” adds Jonny.

Skye is also a proud Wolves fan and has welcomed the formation of the club’s first official LGBT supporters group.

The first meeting took place at Molineux on Monday with an open invite to anyone who wanted to become a founder member or help with its formation and she said it had been very positive.

“I think it’s amazing that Wolves have set up a LGBT supporters group. It shows that our home club are committed to equality in sport and aim to provide a group where like minded people can watch a football match together.

“Football stadiums can be very intimidating but by providing this group I hope that more LGBT football fans feel safe going to Molineux,” says Skye, who recently spoke at a awareness event organised by LGBTQ+ campaign organisation Just a Ball Game and held at Wembley.

Sky believes there is still more work to be done to completely eliminate discrimination of all kinds from football.

“It’s a shame, it’s 2019, we should be moving forward. I wish I didn’t have to talk about discrimination. I wish we could just play football and be like any other Sunday league team.

“I want my players to be able to play football and not suffer abuse or be fearful of suffering abuse.

“But we have to go out there and talk about discrimination and talk about being inclusive so that people know it’s not going tolerated. I want people to know this club is inclusive and we welcome everybody.

“I don’t have any gay players playing for us at the moment but all the players we do have also believe in equality in football,”

“It is getting better because there are more opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community now but there is still a long way to go.

“I m very proud to be a transgender lady in football management and I will not be silenced or bullied,” she tells us.

Black Country Fusion FC will play charity match at its home ground against East Midlands-based Football 4 Charities on the afternoon of April 14.

Money raised will go to the neo-natal unit at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital.

To find out more about the club see blackcountryfc.co.uk