Leeds United are leading a quest to beat homophobia and promote greater equality in football.

The club is the first in Britain to join gay equality charity Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, and to be a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

The club is taking the lead for football, having already supported gay equality this year by running Stonewall’s iconic ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ in the club colours in a matchday programme.

The club joins 640 major employer members on the programme. It promotes and develops good practise for organisations like Leeds United who want to create gay-friendly environments while supporting their gay staff and volunteers. Stonewall will also train the club’s stewards to tackle homophobic abuse and chanting when it occurs, making matches fit for all football fans.

Leeds United managing director David Haigh said: “This is very important to us because Leeds United is an all-inclusive football club where everybody is welcome and can feel a part of. Diversity is an important issue for sport in general, and by taking the lead on this, we are not only hoping to make a positive impact on our own club, but on football as a whole, and we hope other clubs will follow.”

Laura Doughty, Stonewall Deputy Chief Executive: ‘By joining the Diversity Champions programme Leeds United recognises that people perform better when they can be themselves, whether on or off the pitch.

“They are showing that they are a forward thinking 21st century employer who wants to recruit, develop and support the very best staff. We hope other clubs will follow Leeds United’s lead and take steps to make sure they create an environment where all their staff can thrive and fans can fully enjoy matches.’