Ruth Styles went to meet the London Titans, a gay friendly football team based in London.

The London Titans is a football club with a difference.

Based in Richmond in south west London, they are one of three London-based, gay friendly clubs along with Stonewall FC and Leftfooters.

They all play in the world’s only gay league and the London Titans made it to the finals of the Gay World Championships held last year in Argentina.

“I hadn’t expected us to get that far,” said Matt Baker, one of the Titans’ strikers. “It was the second division [the Gay World Championships has two], not the top, top division, but we got to the final and we lost it on penalties, so a typical English final.”

Homophobia in mainstream football is a well-documented problem. For a game that prides itself on tackling issues like racism and anti-Semitism, little progress has been made on dealing with prejudice against gay players.

In March this year FIFA President Sepp Blatter told The Times “there are gay footballers, but they don’t declare it because they think it will not be accepted in these macho organisations. But football is open for everybody, which is why they made a gay competition in South America.”

There are roughly 4,000 professional footballers currently playing in England. But in the English game’s history, only one player - Justin Fashanu - has been openly gay.

West Ham’s Freddie Ljungberg, Portsmouth’s Sol Campbell and former Chelsea man Graeme Le Saux have all suffered from speculation about their sexuality.

In Le Saux’s case it resulted in a well documented incident on the pitch in 1999, when Liverpool player Robbie Fowler mocked him after Fowler scored a goal. Fowler later apologised, but it was a reflection of attitudes in football that he thought it was acceptable.

Teams like the Titans offer the chance for gay men to play football without the risk of abuse from players and fans, although the segregation from the mainstream sport is still a glaring issue.

Baker said: “The culture is a problem. It’s not acceptable. You get people who are gay and they hide it. There are definitely some people out there in the Premier League who won’t come out and I don’t blame them.”

Baker, though, is at pains to point out that the London Titans team isn’t exclusively gay. “People think it’s a gay team but it’s actually a gay friendly team,” he said. “We have some straight players and anyone is welcome, whatever you are, whoever you are.”

Baker is hopeful that the problems faced by gay footballers can eventually be resolved and says he appreciates the efforts being made by the FA in their Football For All campaign.

However, he thinks much more needs to be done, on the terraces as well as on the pitch. “To be honest I think [the reaction] would be worse from the fans. The homophobia coming down from the stands would be too much - we’ve seen it already in a few cases.

“I suppose I could play for a mainstream Sunday League side but I think sometimes you have to conform socially and to the way they act - the things they do. I think it’s a different slant playing for a gay friendly team because it’s got different banter, different things in common and a different edge.”

In August, London will host the eleventh Gay World Championships. The London Titans, Stonewall FC and Leftfooters will be there, along with teams from Manchester, Yorkshire and Dublin.

Last years’ winners were Argentinean side Los Dogos, and clubs from Latin America, the USA and Europe will fielding teams in the competition. The majority of games will take place at Leftfooters’ Regent’s Park grounds, while the final, on 30 August, will be at Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium in east London.

Last year both Stonewall FC and the London Titans came close to winning their divisions in the Championships. So if you fancy watching a football tournament that England might actually win, then the London 2008 Gay World Championships is for you.

The London Titans: www.londontitans.com
Gay World Championships: www.londonwc2008.co.uk

Photos from top to bottom: Matt Baker in action with the Titans, Matt Baker in action with the Titans, Matt Baker. All photos courtesy of Ruth Styles.

Don’t you just hate it when a sudden storm appears and ruins the smooth change from winter’s thick swathes of black to summer’s chic whites?

Fear not, the nautical look is always a winner for spring. And it comes back around every year like oversized sunglasses and pink lipstick.

Nautical means crisp white or navy, wide leg trousers, cute Breton stripes from Petit Bateau (or Gap, if you’re broke) - and lovely new accessories. Like Topshop’s fabulous faux pearl and anchor pendant.

Nautical is fashion shorthand for spring chic. But then comes the rain.

You might imagine that sailor chic would be the perfect thing to brave spring deluges in. After all, naval people spending their lives on the water wear it all the time.

But that’s the thing: they’re on the water, not in it. And let me tell you, when a car goes past and sends the mother of all puddles cascading icily up your leg, you are most definitely in the water.

Plus, nautical stuff tends to come in dirt unfriendly colours like white.

Of course you can channel Tin Tin’s Captain Haddock and work a yellow oilskin, but it doesn’t have quite the cachet of crisp red, navy and white.

So what’s the solution to this annoying fashion conundrum? One word: taxis. I mean, what else are you going to do? Wear wellies? Thought not.

Ruth Styles talks fashion with Elliott J Sainsbury, a fashion writer and stylist.

On writing:

“It was inevitable I’d end up working in fashion. I’ve always loved clothes, although I don’t come from a fashion background. Writing, analysing and exploring what people wear - the aesthetics - comes naturally.

“I started as an intern at a PR company, then did a stint at GQ. I emailed a few articles to Fashion156.com. They liked what I did, so I’m still there.

“I studied English and Sociology and then Fine Art but didn’t graduate. After going through the university system twice I don’t believe you necessarily need a qualification to do what you want if you have the passion and belief. Being dragged round M&S by my mum as a kid was training enough!

“I really look up to Charlie Porter, the associate editor of GQ. He’s one of our best menswear critics - his column in The Guardian is what inspired me to become a fashion writer.

“I also love Sarah Mower, the stylist Nicola Formichetti, and of course, Katie Grand [editor of Pop magazine]. For me, Susie Bubble is the queen of the fashion bloggers - her Style Bubble blog is a must-read.

On London:

“London is a total mishmash. There’s a warm welcome for every culture, and history and the future are juxtaposed in dazzling ways. There are hidden worlds throughout London; clashing style tribes are everywhere.

“There’s a place for everything in the fashion spectrum here. London often feels more like a testing ground for more radical pieces even at the risk of looking ridiculous with charity shop clothing and accessories from a pound shop.

On What’s Hot:

“Sportswear is very cool: it’s an integral part of the menswear collections this season: from Lanvin and Calvin Klein, to Dries Van Noten and Raf Simons. For me, early 90s hip-hop influences - oversized silhouettes, all that colour and optimism, bright graphics and washed out denim - is cool.

“Sculptural details like drawstring ruffles, padding and armour-like elements are also going to be big. Looking at pictures of funk/soul bands like Cameo or Earth or Wind and Fire or New Romantics and eighteenth century rakes and thinking of the popularity of shops like Nutters of Savile Row - it shows that men have always been fascinated with expressing themselves through fashion in some way.

“Nearly all men like clothes in some sense, whether that’s a trainer collection or being obsessive over the cuffs and placket of a shirt. I think that can be adventurous and it’s a shame that the current zeitgeist when it comes to men’s fashion seems to be an austere, conservative one.

Best Dressed:

“I don’t really go for that conservative, red carpet dressing thing. I’m more influenced by guys I see on the street, at clubs and on websites like Hel Looks.

“Gordon Richardson, the creative director of Topman is always smart but never contrived and the guys from b Store always look brilliant.

“I like Devendra Banhart and I think rappers are really underrated, like Kanye West, Pharrell and Mos Def. I like Ronnie Corbett as well, for his cardigans.

“I love writing but it would be great to get more involved in London Fashion Week and to give menswear a higher profile. I’d also love to organise events and showcases for smaller designers who need representation. That and being executive producer of Eastenders someday…”

R-L: Unicorn brooch and newspaper bag, both from the V&A; Mr T necklace by Art Disco; Recycle tee-shirt by Gossypium; Icicle dress by Louise Goldin for Topshop

Too Cool For Fools

Everyone needs a bit of Mr T in their life and this fabulous necklace from online purveyors of all things kitsch, Art Disco, is just the thing. Wear it alone or with piles of other pendants, with a dress, jeans or a simple white shirt. Mr T can make anything funky.
Mr T pendant, £10, by Art Disco

www.artdisco.co.uk

Ice Queen

Never let it be said that Topshop doesn’t try. While its collaboration with Kate Moss might be a bit ropey, its collaborations with bona fide design talent like Louise Goldin most certainly aren’t. Goldin’s summer collection for Topshop is genius and includes this amazing blue, lilac and silver icicle print knitted dress. Just add heels.
Blue, lilac and silver icicle print dress, £95, by Louise Goldin for Topshop

www.topshop.com

Ethical Males

While women have tons to choose from when it comes to ethical and fair-trade clothing, men have been a bit short changed. Thus, Gossypium’s efforts are both appreciated and badly needed. Luckily they managed to get the design right too and their “recycle” tee-shirt looks as good as its ethical credentials.
Brown cotton tee-shirt, £20 by Gossypium

www.gossypium.co.uk

Grafitti (Make-up) Artist

Bored of lipsticks that are just lipsticks? Like to mix your beauty regime with a bit of urban art? If your answers were yes and yes, then check out Mac’s collaboration with French grafitti artist Fafi, a.k.a Paris’ answer to Banksy. The Fafi range includes some funky new shades with gorgeous grafitti inspired packaging as well as tee-shirts and for the kitsch lovers among you, little dolls called ‘Fafinettes’. Much cooler than Barbie.

www.maccosmetics.com

Sunny Delight

How gorgeous is this sundress by hot British designer Camilla Staerk? It’s short, sweet and perfect for looking hot on the beach or cool in the bar. It’s a bit boho, it’s got summer’s uber-cool floral print and it’s got a touch of the new romance trend to boot. Perfect with heels, flats, jeans and layers…the possibilities are endless. You know you want it!
Silk print sundress, £285 by Camilla Staerk at Brittique

www.brittique.com

Museum Pieces

You’re having a what-to-wear crisis and nothing is working, so you plump for the old failsafe: black. But black on its own is boring, so perk it up with some retro-cool jewellery like this fab brooch from the V&A shop. Possibly the best museum gift shop in the world, goodies from the V&A shop just keep coming. Check out the recycled newspaper bag as well.
Unicorn brooch, £20 and recycled newspaper bag, £12 from the V&A shop

www.vandashop.co.uk