Robins' Rainbow Shirts Campaign Raises Big Money

The campaign to finance a major refurbishment of the city’s LGBT centre has been given a cheque fir £2,500.

Alty made headlines on a global scale when they became the first football club in the world to wear a kit based on the LGBT flag for their National League North match against Bradford (Park Avenue).

The event at The J.Davidson Stadium was then covered around the world.

“It was a pioneering stance in support of Football v Homophobia month, and the club felt it entirely fitting that proceeds from the sale of shirts worn by Altrincham's history-making players should go towards improvement work on the hugely-popular LGBT centre in Sidney Street,” the club said.

“An appeal for funds was launched by the Lord Lieutenant of Manchester Warren Smith last June, after it was estimated £2.25million was needed to equip the centre with the space and facilities to cope with growing numbers wishing to use it.

“Campaign bosses are edging ever-nearer their target, and they took another step towards it when Alty chairman Grahame Rowley handed over a cheque for £2,500, the amount generated by an auction of the players' shirts in the Community Sports Hall after the Bradford game.”

The ceremony took place prior to kick-off at Saturday's 5-3 home win over Chorley.

The chairman presented the cheque to Sally Carr MBE from the Proud Trust, who manage the centre.

“It was a wonderful occasion when the Altrincham players wore their special shirts, and I was delighted to return to the stadium to receive this valuable contribution to our work,” she said.

“We are undertaking a two-year project to refurbish the centre, and we will certainly be inviting Altrincham FC to the opening ceremony.”