Vice-Chairman Paul Elliott CBE MBE attended Charlton Invicta’s end-of-season awards last week, as the club’s LGBTQI+ friendly team celebrated their outstanding 2024-25 campaign.
The event, held at the University of Greenwich, recognised Invicta’s double triumph in the London Unity League (LUL), with their Valiants and Addicks teams topping Division One and Division Two respectively. Earlier this year, Invicta also earned winners’ medals in the Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) Division Two and promotion to Division One. The club also reached the finals of both the LUL Plate and the GFSN Shield but narrowly missed out on lifting the trophies. Across the 2024-25 season, Invicta scored an impressive 179 goals over 48 matches, won 36 games in all competitions and had 33 different goal scorers.
The evening began with a keynote address from Elliott, who spoke about the successes across the club, the power of football to change hearts and minds and how working together brings greater achievement. Reflecting on the awards evening, Elliott said: “Charlton Invicta is a shining example of how inclusive sport can empower communities and break down barriers. Charlton doesn’t just talk about equality - it lives and breathes it, on and off the pitch. Invicta’s message is clear: football is for everyone.”
Dr Michael Seeraj, Group Head of EDI, said: “Charlton Invicta's phenomenal success on the pitch this season is testament to the power of inclusive football. Their achievements go beyond trophies - they represent progress, unity and the belief that everyone should have a place in our game. We are proud of the role that the Community Trust and club continues to play in supporting Invicta and championing equality and inclusion through sport.”
Invicta Chair Gary Ginnaw said: “It has been a fantastic 2024-25 season on the pitch for Invicta, and it’s a testament to all of our players that together, we managed to secure three league titles. Winning the LUL title for the first time since 2018 was a particular highlight for me. We have worked hard to regain that title, having finished runners-up in each of the previous two seasons.
“Off the pitch, the fight for equity and equality for all of our community continues. It’s Pride Month, and we cannot forget that our Trans and Non-Binary members and friends face constant attack. We all need to use our voices to challenge discrimination head-on and fight for equal rights for everyone.
“Football should be a game for everyone; our teams cater to everyone. We are Queer and Trans inclusive, and we have a space for you - so get involved.”
Anyone interested in joining Charlton Invicta FC can get in touch via email at information@cactinvictafc.com, or through Instagram: @cactinvictafc.