Chelsea Football club has launched a supporters club for LGBT fans of the team.

Chelsea FC, owned by billionaire Russian magnate Roman Abramovich, has announced the initiative as a joint venture with the Gay Football Supporters Network.

The network will organise regular events, match visits, and tournaments – and also campaign on issues relating to homophobia in football.

The club said in a statement, “Working closely with GFSN chairman and Chelsea season-ticket holder Ed Connell the club will assist with the formation of the group and offer support and assistance to ensure its growth.

“The club is proud of celebrating our diversity with our Building Bridges initiative working hard to fulfil the vision of a club and community which is welcoming to all, regardless of race, religion, sexuality or gender.”

Chelsea season ticket holder and network founder, Ed Connell, said he was “immensely proud” of the initiative.

“I have been campaigning against homophobia in football for the best part of 12 years and spent the first seven or eight feeling very frustrated trying to get people to realise there was an issue so for me to see these things happening is fantastic,” he said.

“As a season-ticket holder at Chelsea I am delighted to see the club support the creation of a LGBT fan group, making Chelsea LGBT fans feel truly welcome at the club they support.

“The fan groups differ from club to club but what we want to do here is set up a committee to run things and start welcoming members from near and far.

“We want to work with the club to help the local LGBT community and make LGBT fans feel welcome, as it is a game we all love dearly regardless of sexuality.”