Village Manchester, an LGBT+ inclusive football team, have been crowned European Champions , to ease the pain felt by England after losing the Euro 2024 final. The Three Lions had ignited a summer of hope during their run in Germany, but ultimately fell to defeat by Spain in July's final in Berlin. While Gareth Southgate and his squad headed home disappointed, Village Manchester were on hand to complete their own stunning Euros win.
The club, which also won the GFSN Cup back in May , headed out to Vienna for this year's EuroGames, which are held on an annual basis. Though dominated by British teams, the EuroGames also featured sides from Paris, Munich, Dublin and Belgium. Played over two days, it was a weekend to remember for Manchester, who lost just one of their eight games as they won just the second European title in their history.
And for vice-chairman Antony Lockley, who has been at the club for 21 years, it was a crowning achievement. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football , he said: "It's a huge club achievement, we've been around for 28 years now as a gay-inclusive football club. We have done really well domestically and we've reached six major international finals and I'm really pleased to say we've won our second one in Vienna.
"It's been a long time coming. We've had a number of very painful near misses but it's amazing. It's built upon decades of growing the club, strengthening and to win gold is very beautiful icing on a very big cake.
"To land another big one .