As part of Pride Month this June, Charlton Invicta member and Addicks supporter Jack has discussed his experiences in football and the power of allyship.
Tell us about your journey through football and how you ended up at Invicta?
Football has always been part of my life and I am a lifelong Charlton fan, so the club has always meant something to me. Even when I stopped playing regularly, I missed being part of a team and the structure that football gives you. At the start of 2024, three of my best mates, who were already involved with Charlton Invicta, encouraged me to come down.
I joined in January 2024 looking to get back into football for fitness and for the love of the game, but I also wanted to understand Invicta properly and see what the team was about. Very quickly I realised there was something special here. Wearing a Charlton badge carries real pride and being part of Invicta has brought back everything I enjoy about football. Since joining, the learning and development I have experienced has been fantastic and the environment has been incredibly positive from day one.
Has playing for Invicta changed your perspective on life?
Yes, absolutely. I came expecting just football, but I found a community. Being part of Invicta has shown me the real value of inclusive spaces. I have seen people arrive unsure and gradually become fully part of the group. It highlights how powerful a welcoming environment can be in building confidence and belonging. It has broadened how I look at people, how I support others and how important it is that everyone feels they can be themselves without hesitation.
You recently joined the committee and became joint manager of the Valiants team. Can you tell us why you wanted to get more involved with the running of the club?
The club has given me so much in such a short time that getting more involved felt natural. I wanted to help maintain and build on the positive environment that drew me in. Joining the committee allows me to contribute to the club’s future, support the people who work incredibly hard behind the scenes and help ensure new players have the same welcoming experience I did.
Why do you think we don’t have any openly out players in the men’s professional game?
Although football culture is improving, there are still barriers. Players may worry about public scrutiny, abuse or how coming out might affect their careers. The fear of becoming a headline rather than being known simply as a footballer is a heavy pressure.
Until players feel fully protected and supported in every area of the game, many will understandably choose to keep their personal lives private. This is why clubs like Invicta matter so much. They show what a safe, open and inclusive football environment can look like.
Do you think we need more openly out allies in the men’s professional game?
Yes. Visible allies are vital. When influential players and coaches openly support inclusion, it sends a strong message that football stands for respect and acceptance. It also reassures players who may be struggling quietly that they are not alone. Allies help change the culture by normalising diversity and showing that everyone should feel welcome in the game.
What does being an ally mean to you?
Being an ally means actively standing with people, not just supporting them in words but showing it through your behaviour. It means listening, learning and challenging attitudes or language that make others feel excluded. Most importantly, it means helping to create an environment where people feel safe, valued and able to be themselves. Invicta has reinforced that allyship is an ongoing commitment, not a single action.
What advice would you give on how to be a good ally?
Start with listening. Try to understand experiences that are different from your own. Educate yourself, speak up when needed and support people consistently. Challenging harmful behaviour does not have to be confrontational, but it does need to be steady and reliable. Most of all, be present. Good allies show up, encourage others and create space for everyone to feel included.
Charlton Invicta run two teams in the London Unity League, one team in the Gay Football Supporters’ Network, and a new Development team. They are always welcoming new players of all abilities and provide something for everyone. On Sunday, July 12th, they will be hosting an open session for people interested in joining. To find out more or to register your interest, email information@cactinvictafc.com