VMFC conquer Europe

VMFC win IGLFA European Championship

Manchester FA is delighted to announce that Village Manchester Football Club have claimed a historic International Gay and Lesbian FA European Championship.

The club got their hands on their first ever international trophy in Dublin last week having competed against the best gay teams on the continent for the title of European Champions.

Having faced tough opposition from Berlin and Stockholm en route to the final four, a semi-final victory over holders and current world club champions London Stonewall FC saw them book their place in the final.

There they met the hosts, Dublin, where despite tough opposition and great support for the home team, Village ran out 2-1 winners to claim the first piece of international silverware in the team's 17 year history.

Player/manager Jason McAuley was delighted to have achieved such success.

"We've been waiting a long time for this triumph," he admitted. "Having experienced the pain of defeat in three previous finals it makes it all the sweeter."

"All of the boys deserve a lot of credit for the effort they put in. Playing four games of football in 32 hours is extremely demanding but the determination and discipline they showed was outstanding."

"Manchester is steeped in European football history so it's terrific that as a grassroots football club we have had an opportunity to contribute to this in our own small way."

VMFC has grown from strength-to-strength in recent years and now has over 40 players making up two teams who compete in the Manchester Accountants Sunday League and the Manchester City Central League during the domestic season.

Although originally an exclusively-gay team, VMFC now includes several straight players as the club continues to promote inclusivity in football at grassroots level.

If you are interested in finding out more about the club, visit their website www.vmfc.co.uk or contact them via e-mail villagemanchester@hotmail.com.

Special thanks to Manchester FA.com for the above.

Published: 20-Jun-2013: (1957)