OUR CHAMPIONS
A Rainbow Blades Champion is someone who represents & supports our group and values. They will give their voice to Rainbow Blades & LGBTQ+ equality, diversity & inclusion.
Rainbow Blades Champions can be industry professionals, players, managers, other staff and notable people. A champion is someone who actively supports and advocates for Rainbow Blades and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Rainbow Blades Champions can:
Offer Support and display active Allyship.
Using their platform, increase visibility.
Spread awareness & amplify voices.
Be a role model.
Take part in Rainbow Blades campaigns.
In essence, a Rainbow Blades Champion is anyone who makes efforts to support Rainbow Blades and LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.
Player Champion
Ellie Wilson
" I believe that people feeling valued, supported, and feeling able to be themselves will only get the best out of people."
I'm thrilled to be part of the Rainbow Blades family! I think what rainbow Blades are doing and everything they support is spot on and so important. It’s important to bring the community together and be fully inclusive of everyone, not only in a football environment but in general and I think Rainbow Blades really emphasises this message. I believe that people feeling valued, supported, and feeling able to be themselves will only get the best out of people and everyone deserves to feel that regardless of their gender, sexuality, race etc. I love that through Rainbow Blades and through football we can highlight diversity and have a positive impact on inclusion here at Sheffield United.
Former Player Champion
Tony Currie
"There has never been a place for hate at Sheffield United and there never will be."
“My late friend, Len Badger was a Rainbow Blades Ambassador and believed in total equality, diversity, and inclusion. Being a Rainbow Blades ambassador was important to Len and it is just as important to me, because United should be for all. Absolutely everyone who loves the Blades should be able to do so without their fellow fans being derogatory & using sexual orientation or gender identity as a way of conveying weakness. There has never been a place for hate at Sheffield United and there never will be. I’m proud to be an ally to our wonderful LGBTQ+ community; let’s continue to truly make United for All."
Professional Champion
Sam Badger
"I am passionate that our club should be & will be a role model on inclusivity for other clubs."
“When my father was offered the role of a Rainbow Blades Ambassador several months ago he called me to tell me of his immense pride and excitement at the prospect of meeting & working with our LGBTQ+ Blades community. So, I'm here to tell you of my considerable pride of not only filling the role my dad would have loved to have but also my pride of been part of our inclusive, positive & progressive community. I am passionate that our club should and will be a role model for others. I can't wait to meet Rainbow Blades very soon."
Len Badger
In Memoriam
A tribute to our late champion, Len Badger
"Len believed in total equality, diversity & inclusion for all, and was willing to stand up for those values. He's a huge loss to the whole Blades family."
A true legend of the Lane
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Rainbow Blades was devastated to hear news of the passing of Len Badger, former Sheffield United captain, and very recently announced as our ambassador.
In his playing days, Len was a stalwart of the SUFC team, appearing at right back over 500 times for the club. Many of us won’t have had the pleasure of watching him play, but as Len joked in his video announcing himself as a Rainbow Blades ambassador, your “grandads will probably remember [me] but the young people won’t”.
Sheffield United FC commented:
“"Len was one of the greatest full backs to play for the club, but he was also one of its greatest characters. Those fortunate to know him will testify that he was one of the funniest, warmest and kindest people you would ever have the joy of meeting.
He loved the Blades beyond measure. He never wanted to play for anyone else, and it was possibly that loyalty to one of the more unfashionable clubs that cost him a far more glittering career, but that mattered little to him.”
It was Len’s continued involvement with the Blades that ensured his ongoing status as a Legend of the Lane.
At the beginning of May 2021, Rainbow Blades was thrilled to announce Len as its newest ambassador, joining Curtis Woodhouse in supporting our group in its mission to achieve total & comprehensive LGBT+ equality, diversity & inclusion at Sheffield United Football Club.
James Laley, Rainbow Blades Founder & Chair, said:
“Len was so happy, enthusiastic & honoured to be a Rainbow Blades Ambassador. I only spoke to him a few weeks ago & he was eager to get involved. His passing is devastating & my whole heart goes out to his family & friends. The term “legend” can often be thrown about rather too freely nowadays, but for a man who played for our club over 500 times, former captain and still involved with the club, there is no more fitting term than legend. He will be missed by Blades. RIP Len.”
Rainbow Blades’ thoughts are with his wife Mal, his children Sam and Stephen, and to all those to whom Len was dear. His loss will be sorely felt but his legacy will live on through both the work of Rainbow Blades and Sheffield United FC, and future generations will continue to learn about our great captain, the Sheffield lad.
Thank you for everything, Len.
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RIP Len Badger 1945 - 2021