Plymouth Argyle boss Ian Foster and first-team player Oscar Halls surprised the Argyle Pride football team at their evening training session earlier this month as part of LGBT History Month.

The pair got involved with the session – which showcased football’s first-ever Rainbow Ball, launched by the EFL and PUMA – while also chatting to members of the team about their experiences.

“It’s a wonderful initiative and it’s something that the staff and the players are really behind. What the guys are doing, promoting their team and ours, is fabulous and hopefully we can give them all the support possible,” said Argyle head coach Foster. “We’re huge supporters of the initiative because we know that sport is for everybody.

“They’ve got great stories to tell, and I don’t think it’s been an easy journey for them, but we want to promote it as a Football Club and show our togetherness. We’re one Football Club, from myself through to the staff, the players and the supporters.”

Argyle Pride, the official LGBTQ+ Supporters Group of the Pilgrims, work closely alongside the Football Club and the Argyle Community Trust to provide and maintain that Plymouth Argyle as a whole is a safe and welcoming place for the community.

Halls added: “Argyle do a lot of work in the community and there are a lot of things that maybe not everyone knows about, and this is one of the teams that are putting in the work which is really good to see.

“They’re all really genuine guys who just loving playing football which obviously I do as well so I can relate to them on that one. It’s a big part of the Club’s values to include everyone and I think the Club have done really well with this setup.”

One of the team’s newest members, Alan, was recommended to the side by a friend who encouraged him to go along to a session and his experience has allowed him to get involved in a sport which he loves.

“I was a little bit shocked,” he explained. “I love football and I thought it would be great to be a part of a LGBTQ+ football community.

“When I talk about football, I usually get quite a few funny looks because people don’t expect a gay person to like football, so it’s nice to have that discussion and that banter with people as well. I just want to get my fitness and have a social life with the other people who like football and expand from there.

“I’d definitely recommend it – I’m new to it and I’ve been made to feel welcome already and everyone is so friendly. It’s a way to go out and be yourself.”