A FOOTBALL match that aims to promote equality within the good game will return to Wrexham in March.

The Community Cup is the brainchild of local campaigner Steve Gilbert and this year will see Bellevue FC take on a team billed as Wrexham DSA All Stars, who include members of Wrexham Disabled Supporters Association, former professionals as well as local players, both past and present.

Bellevue FC are Wrexham’s first league registered, multi-ethnic and inclusion specific football club, with almost all of their players coming from foreign backgrounds, either as refugees, asylum seekers or economic and educational migrants, or local players with mental health issues or learning difficulties.

It is this inclusive mindset that encouraged Steve to put together the first Wrexham Community Cup and this year's game will be supported by Level Playing Field, Football v Homophobia and Show Racism the Red Card to name just a couple.

Steve said: “I believe inclusion is as important as accessibility in the work we do at the Disabled Supporters Association.

"That carries over into life and everyone should be treated with equal respect regardless of creed, colour, sexual identity or preference. To that end we look forward again to working with our great friends at Bellevue FC as well as Football V Homophobia and Show Racism The Red Card Cymru as we as Level Playing Field who we have a long standing relationship with. Football is such a powerful unifier and we will all see and feel that on the day.”

Match co-ordinator Delwyn Derrick and Secretary at Bellevue FC said: “Wrexham is a special place when it comes to communities, and the Wrexham Community Cup is a celebration of that as well as a chance to give well deserved recognition to people and organisations who work hard to achieve inclusion and diversity in football.

"We are really excited to work alongside Show Racism the Red Card for a third time in the last twelve months and we’re looking forward to also forging new friendships and working relationships with Level Playing Field and Football V Homophobia.

"We also hope to see some familiar faces on the day, which we’ve been privileged to work alongside for a couple of years now. Ultimately we hope that the big winner will be the sport.”

The match will take place at Bellevue Park on Sunday, March 17 and kick off at 1pm and there are no tickets, no admission costs and everyone is welcome.

Following the match, Ty Pawb will be hosting the Community Cup Social and trophy presentation and Curry on the Go and the bar will be open.