Wed 25 Feb - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 5mins
Derby County is proud to support the return of the EFL PUMA Rainbow Ball during the 2025/26 season.
The Rainbow Ball will serve as a symbol of inclusion, unity and pride and will feature across all Sky Bet EFL matches from 20th February to 1st March, including during the Rams’ fixture against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday 28th February at Pride Park Stadium.
The PUMA Rainbow Ball is a celebration of LGBTQ+ fans and represents the EFL and all clubs’ commitment to ensuring football remains a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for every supporter, in every stadium. Throughout the season, Derby County stands proudly alongside the EFL, clubs, players and supporters together against homophobia.
This year, as part of the Rainbow Ball campaign’s mission for inclusion, we are putting a spotlight on the official LGBT+ Derby County supporters' group, Rainbow Rams.
Part of the Derby County Supporters' Charter Group, Rainbow Rams is the Derby County LGBTQIA+ and Allies supporters' group.
Football is for everyone, and they have been established to help make Derby County a safe space for all fans to be themselves with pride and express their pride in being a Ram.
Hear from Founding Member, Connor Ffrench:
“Rainbow Rams was born from a place of love and hope. I’ve been a Derby County supporter all my life, but for years, I never saw any real representation for LGBTQ+ fans at Pride Park.
“That absence left me questioning where I belonged. Football is supposed to unite us, yet I often felt invisible in the very community I cherished. When I lost my dad, that sense of isolation deepened. I felt alone, and I knew there must be other fans feeling the same way.
“That’s when, at an inclusive football session run by Derby County Community Trust, I met Michelle, and together the idea for Rainbow Rams took root: to create a safe, welcoming space where everyone can proudly be a Ram, no matter who they are or who they love.”
What Rainbow Rams Stand For
“Rainbow Rams is about more than football; it’s about visibility, inclusion, and belonging. It’s a message to every LGBTQ+ supporter that you are seen, valued, and have a home here. It’s a sign to parents of LGBTQ+ children that they can bring their kids to matches without fear, knowing they will find common ground in the love of the game.
“ We want to show that Pride and football can stand side by side, that the roar of the crowd can be a chorus of acceptance. This is our community, and together we can make it stronger, more vibrant, and truly united.”
What Rainbow Rams Have Done So Far
“Rainbow Rams may only be in our first season, but the impact we’ve made together has been incredible. From the very start, the club welcomed us and then invited us into the Supporters’ Charter Group, giving us a voice in shaping the matchday experience.
“Our flag now proudly waves inside Pride Park, a visible symbol of inclusion, and our posters across the stadium show fans how to report abuse, because safety and respect matter. We’ve already hosted our first pre-match social, where we had the honour of welcoming another LGBTQ+ supporters’ group to Pride Park, and this is just the beginning.”
Recent Plans and the Future of Rainbow Rams
“For LGBT History Month, we’re working with the club to deliver a meaningful, unified message of pride and solidarity. Additionally, for our rainbow ball fixture, Rainbow Rams and Derby County have invited another LGBTQ+ supporter group to further empower that message.
“Earlier in February, we teamed up with Rainbow Spireites and Derbyshire FA to host an LGBTQ+ in Football Conference, bringing teams across Derbyshire together to stand for equality.
“We’re also part of a regional alliance of LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire. Currently, the alliance is supporting the FSA’s new LGBTQ+ fan hub.
“And for the first time, we’ll present the Rainbow Rams Player of the Season award. The incredible support from the club means we’re building something that will keep growing stronger. Together, we’re creating a platform for change, for visibility, and for unity, a future where every Ram feels proud to belong.”
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @rainbow_rams_dcfc
Last season, goals scored with the Rainbow Ball saw PUMA donate £10,000 to Football v Homophobia (FvH), supporting their education and inclusion work across the season. PUMA will once again make a donation to Football v Homophobia for every goal scored with the Rainbow Ball across all Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two fixtures. The funds will further support programmes designed to tackle homophobia, promote understanding, and strengthen inclusion at every level of the game.
EFL Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Birch, said: “The Rainbow Ball is a powerful symbol of the values we uphold across the EFL all season long. It not only reflects our longstanding commitment to ensuring the League is representative of all its diverse communities but also reminds us that we all have a role to play in creating an environment in which everyone feels they truly belong. Together with our clubs, players, managers and supporters, we stand proudly Together Against Homophobia, championing a game where everyone feels safe, respected and celebrated.”
EFL partners EA SPORTS are also once again joining in the Rainbow Ball celebrations. For a third successive year, the Rainbow Ball will feature in EA SPORTS FC 26™, giving millions of players across the country the chance to play with the ball, celebrating LGBTQ+ fans nationwide.
Homophobia has no place in football. Anyone found guilty of homophobic abuse, whether inside a stadium or online, could face serious sanctions, including stadium bans and legal prosecution. The EFL and its clubs will take swift and firm action against discriminatory behaviour and will work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure perpetrators face appropriate club sanctions and police action.
Supporters play a crucial role in creating inclusive matchday environments. If you witness homophobic or discriminatory behaviour, you can report it directly through Kick It Out, by alerting a steward or via our club reporting mechanisms.
Find out how to report an incident to the club, and about our matchday text service, by clicking here.
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