The charity set up in Fashanu's memory, the Justin Campaign, this week hosted a tournament in Nottingham featuring gay-friendly teams from all over the country – including the UK's first lesbian FC, Belfast Braves.
The Braves include women who participated in the Northern Ireland Ladies' Football Association league, but felt a dedicated lesbian club was necessary "to create a safer environment", according to general manager Lesley Todd. "Our experience is that lesbian players on regular teams can be singled out for whispering campaigns.
Belfast is hardly a bastion of liberal values, but BB say they've received a mostly positive response. "Attitudes have changed a lot," says captain Angie Young. "But discrimination still exists. That's why BB is a haven."
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