TL;DR
- Stockport County FC condemned the unauthorized use of its crest in anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda
- The club vows to take legal action to protect its image and values
- Stickers included anti-asylum messages and hateful imagery
- Stockport reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity and community
- The incident comes ahead of the club’s League One season kickoff
Stockport County Takes the Red Card to Hate
Stockport County FC isn’t playing around when it comes to bigotry. The League One club hit back hard after discovering its official crest plastered on stickers filled with anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-asylum rhetoric—propaganda it never authorized and utterly rejects.
The crest, proudly worn by players and beloved by fans, was spotted alongside symbols of hate in images circulating online. According to the club, this unauthorized use crosses a red line—blending sport with divisive politics and discriminatory messages. And now, they’re ready to fight back.
“Our club crest is a registered trademark and a symbol of unity, community, and the collective passion for football at Edgeley Park,” Stockport County declared in a public statement. “It represents all our fans, staff, players, and the wider Stockport community, regardless of their individual political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or any other characteristic.”
Translation: no hate allowed in this house.
The club’s leadership made it crystal clear—they’re exploring legal avenues to ensure their badge won’t be weaponized for hate ever again. Their message is simple: Edgeley Park is a space for everyone. “There is no place for hate, discrimination, or exclusion of any kind,” the club stated, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive environment on and off the pitch.
This strong stance comes as Stockport prepares to launch its 2025/26 season with a home game against Bolton Wanderers. After just missing promotion to the Championship last season, the Hatters are looking to keep the momentum—but they’ve already scored one important win: standing up for LGBTQ+ fans, players, and community members.
For LGBTQ+ supporters, Stockport’s refusal to let its identity be hijacked is more than a PR move—it’s a public defense of their right to belong in football culture, a world still grappling with inclusion. Too often, LGBTQ+ fans have been sidelined, bullied out of stands, or erased from club narratives. This time, Stockport is saying: not today, not ever.
By making it clear that their crest stands for inclusion—not exclusion—Stockport County has proven that fighting for a place in League One also means fighting for everyone’s place in the game.