Question 1

Who are Nottingham Lions FC?

Accepted Answer

We are Nottinghamshire's first LGBTQ+ inclusive football club and provide football opportunities for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.  We were formed in 2006 with the aim of providing a safe environment for players of all abilities to play football.  We are celebrating our 20th anniversary this season.  You can get a flavour of who we are by watching the video on our home page!

Question 2

What format of football do you play?

Accepted Answer

We predominantly play and train 11-a-side on all-weather, artificial pitches.  We occasionally enter teams into 5- (or 6- or 7-) a-side tournaments.

Question 3

What league do you play in?

Accepted Answer

We are part of the GFSN (Gay Football Supporters Network - https://www.gfsn.co.uk/), a national league consisting solely of LGBTQ+ clubs. The league runs from September - April, and has two divisions of approximately 10 teams.  We are in Divison 2 for the 2025/26 season. We also play in the Northern Unity League (NUL) as well as various development and friendly games and the GFSN cup and Shield competitions.

Question 4

Where do you play?

Accepted Answer

Our home games are normally played at Gresham Sports Park, NG2 7YF.  As we play in a national league our away days can take us anywhere from London to Edinburgh, from Brighton to Cardiff, playing other LGBT teams in the GFSN league. Closer away fixtures are usually day trips, but we also stop over 4 or 5 times a year, which is all part of the fun.

Question 5

Where do you train?

Accepted Answer

We train most Sundays from 4pm – 6pm at Gresham Sports Park, NG2 7YF.  Please check our schedule here, https://www.gfsn.co.uk/division2 , as we might be playing a fixture, or be on an international break if we have players on duty for their country.

Question 6

What - you have players who play international football!?!

Accepted Answer

No - that was a joke!  But we do play in international tournaments most summers.  Over the past few years we have attended the Eurogames in Rome, Vienna and Lyon, and in June 2026 we will be sending a team to play in the World Gay Games in Valencia.

Question 7

How much will it cost to join?

Accepted Answer

First training sessions are free for all new members.  Thereafter, there is an initial membership fee of £10, then you can either pay match/training fees of £7 per game, or set up a monthly direct debit of £13, which covers all training and match fees for the month.

Question 8

How do I join?

Accepted Answer

You can just turn up to a training session, but it would be better if you let us know beforehand by dropping us a message at Nottinghamlionsfc@googlemail.com and we can arrange for one of our friendly members to welcome you.  If you decide to become a member, we will send you a registration form and add you to our social media channels.

Question 9

Do I need my own kit?

Accepted Answer

You will need your own boots (suitable for 3G/5G pitches) and shin pads.  You won’t be allowed to play without these.  For training, you can wear any suitable sportswear.  For matches, we can provide club kit, although many of our players purchase their own personalised kit from our Club shop - https://www.futerateam.co.uk/nottinghamlions

Question 10

Are there any social aspects to the club?

Accepted Answer

The club is built on the foundation of fostering a community on and off the pitch. Alongside training, matches, and tournaments, we host a wide variety of events throughout the year which include weekly pub quizzes at The Lord Roberts, hikes, theme/water park trips, theatre trips, gigs, and coffee meet-ups.

Question 11

I’m not LGBTQ+, can I still join the Nottingham Lions?

Accepted Answer

We pride ourselves on being fully inclusive, so as long as you love football and are a respectful ally of the LGBTQ+ community, then you are more than welcome to play for Nottingham Lions FC.

Question 12

I haven’t played football before. Is that a problem?

Accepted Answer

Nottingham Lions FC welcomes anyone with an interest in football, from those who have years of experience, to those with limited skills or abilities, to those who have always wanted to play but never had the opportunity.  As long as you are willing to put in the effort and have a desire to develop and improve your skills, you can be part of our family.

Question 13

What if I just want to support?

Accepted Answer

We have over 60 members, the vast majority of whom train and play football - but we also have a significant number of members who don’t regularly play but still turn up to support at matches, or attend social events.

Frequently asked questions