Exeter City is delighted to announce we have partnered with #HerGameToo, a campaign started by a group female football fans to highlight sexist abuse in the game.
The campaign was launched in May 2021 and almost immediately got national attention, with the hashtag #HerGameToo one of the top trends on social media ahead of the FA Cup Final between Leicester City and Chelsea, with the launch video garnering over a million views.
Since the campaign's launch, #HerGameToo has surveyed over 400 female football fans to build a wider picture of the experiences they have faced when attending games, and it is sadly the case that some women have faced harrowing abuse at football matches across the country.
Exeter City will become one of the first clubs in the Football League to support the campaign, with fellow League Two sides Bristol Rovers and Tranmere Rovers also joining the ranks. While thankfully abuse is a rarity at Exeter City matches, we are supporting this campaign to reiterate our dedication to end all forms of discrimination and harassment in football, whether that be regarding a person’s gender, race, age, sexuality, disability or identity and want to ensure St James Park remains a safe and welcoming environment for all supporters.
As part of our collaboration with #HerGameToo, you will begin to see posters around the ground, their graphics on the LED advertising board and features in the match day programme, while we also plan to host a dedicated #HerGameToo fixture later in the season.
In the future, #HerGameToo are looking into methods people can report sexist abuse or harassment and they will continue to reach out to female fans to evaluate the current match-day experience and make appropriate changes, which the club will fully support.
Lucy Ford, a Bristol Rovers fan and co-founder of #HerGameToo said: "Her Game Too is a movement set up by 12 female football fans with the aim to raise awareness of the sexist abuse in football. Our aim to tackle the misogynistic culture surrounding football so we can create a better and more inclusive atmosphere for female fans for now and the next generation.
“We feel it is important to have the support and backing of professional clubs throughout the country, so we are delighted to be partnering with Exeter City FC. The work Exeter City has already done to support equality in the game has been fantastic to see and we hope they will inspire other football clubs."
Lucy will be at Saturday’s game against Bristol Rovers and will be speaking at half time to encourage all supporters to back the campaign.
Elaine Davis, Club Director added: “I am delighted that Exeter City FC has chosen to support such an important campaign as #HerGameToo. We are pleased to be one of the first Football League clubs to back them in their mission to raise awareness of sexism against women in football. Here at Exeter City, we support diversity and welcome all supporters whatever their age, race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
“Exeter City supports #HerGame Too in their mission to ensure that every woman continues to feel safe, comfortable, and most importantly respected in the wider football community and of course, here at St James Park."
To read #HerGameToo's full survey, click here.
If you'd like to speak to #HerGameToo or get involved with the campaign, email hergametoo@hotmail.com.
#HerGameToo pic.twitter.com/tYPBJmuNQP
— Her Game Too (@HerGameToo) May 15, 2021