Rainbow Devils Committee
Rainbow Devils is run by a committee of volunteers who are elected each year at our Annual General Meeting.
Eric Najib – Co-Chair
I first started supporting United in the mid 1980s, my first game was the fa cup final of 1985 and I have had the privilege of being a season ticket holder since I was 16 and was in Barcelona and Moscow to see us win the European Cup.
I set up Rainbow Devils in 2019 as United’s LGBTQ + supporters group and it has been a pleasure and a privilege seeing the group grow and meeting and getting to know such wonderful new friends.
I hope that we continue to grow and that we make a difference in the aim to make MUFC AND football a sport for everyone.
Cass Hyde – Co-Chair / MUFC Women’s Football Representative
Having only come to football once she was comfortable with her identity, Cass has become a Red through and through. Starting small with men’s cup games, her love for United and the game as a whole has grown from strength to strength. She’s been a longtime Womens team season ticket holder, regularly attending men’s teams game at Old Trafford where possible.
The power of supporters clubs like Rainbow Devils is community. People coming together with shared experiences and a love of United to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Helping people find confidence along the way as we support the team, home and away. GGMU!
Lindsay Parr – Socials & Events / Branding & Merchandise
Born a united fan, Lindsey follows the reds home and away. Her current favourite player is Martinez, but as a child she loved nothing more than watching Eric the King in action. She enjoys all things football, and is also a massive Rugby League fan. She loves travelling (especially to see United in Europe), and loves trips away in her campervan with her wife and 2 dogs, Peppa and Buddy.
Lindsey is currently working for Diversity Role Models, an LGBTQ+ charity that works with schools to embed diversity and inclusion and create an education system where all young people feel encouraged to be themselves and thrive. She is passionate about ensuring everyone feels safe and included in the beautiful game – a game for all.
Pete Spiers – Club Secretary and Membership
I’m Pete & I’ve been a United fan since the 70s when my Dad took me to Old Trafford for my 1st game against Spurs. We sat in K stand (East as it’s now called) & the roar of the fans & atmosphere had me hooked. I’ve been a season ticket since 1995. I’ve been lucky enough to witness live the CL wins in Barca in 99 & Moscow in 08. 99 was & still is the greatest occasion I’ve ever witnessed live.
I’ve been a member of Rainbow Devils for a couple of years & have attended many of the socials. I was also part of the pitch day at the end of last season for some of the members where I was player manager with Rainbow Devils lifting the trophy, a great experience. I’ve recently become a committee member where my role is Secretary, Comms & Membership, so il looking forward to being more involved in that side.
Carl Nunnerley – Manchester Pride Organiser
Am Carl born and bred mancunian and been a Manchester United supporter for over 40 years. Am one of the founding members of the Rainbowdevils and also the events lead on the committee. Rainbowdevils has brought back my love for football but also shown me that I can be myself and enjoy the beautiful game.
Since we started in 2019 we have come such a long way and I have made such good friends with the group and my highlight was when we took part in our first Manchester pride in 2022. Am so looking forward to the future and more to come with the Rainbowdevils.
Howard Borrington – Media & Communications
Howard was born in Davyhulme, Manchester in July 1963 and grew up in Timperley, Altrincham. He attended his first Manchester United game on the 1st of October 1977 when United beat Liverpool
2-0 (Lou Macari and Sammy Mcllroy with the goals), which was quite the game to start with! He was a regular in the Stretford End Paddock until 1995 when he
became a season ticket holder and moved to the South Stand. He is now located in the second tier of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.
Howard graduated with a BSc (Honours) degree in Industrial Studies from Sheffield City Polytechnic in 1986 and spent his professional career primarily in London as a Communications and Public/Political Affairs practitioner in the defence and aerospace industry. He founded his company’s employee-led LGBTQ+ network in 2019 and Chaired it for three years.
That same year he joined Rainbow Devils and has been an active Committee member since that time.
Howard retired in August 2024 and now lives in North Oxfordshire with his partner Hiroaki, who is a concert pianist and teacher. His interests include classical music, reading political biographies, travel and, most importantly of course, all things Manchester United.
Sam Danson – Media and Communications
Sam joined Rainbow devils in 2022 and was immediately enthusiastic to be a key part of the group to help our vision of making football feel welcoming to all and taking action against any form of discrimination. He has been a Manchester United fan his entire life, but never saw football as a place where being open about sexuality was accepted, until he found Rainbow Devils.
Sam works in theatre and community outreach, he is committed to raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and fighting for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, his upcoming theatre show, BI-TOPIA explores connections with the LGBTQ+ community and poor mental health. He hopes, through the work he does, and being a part of Rainbow Devils, that more LGBTQ+ people can live free of shame or fear of discrimination.
James Bull – Branding & Merchandise / Media & Communications
I’m Manchester based, followed Manchester United when I was in my childhood up to my teens – I remember visiting Old Trafford with my mum when I was 11… Ever since coming out in my late teens I never thought football was really for me.
I went along to the FA youth cup final at Old Trafford in the 2021-22 and absolutely loved it, I’ve been back a fair bit since…
I think it’s important LGBT people know they’re welcome at Manchester United and aren’t put off from enjoying the beautiful game, and that’s why I joined Rainbow Devils. I look after the website and help out with communications and design.
Gareth Hope – MUFC Women’s Football Representative
I was born and raised in Manchester in a United obsessed family – first attending Old Trafford at just a few weeks old to “watch” Steve Coppell’s testimonial in my dad’s arms. I have been in the club’s official membership scheme since 1998, and attend as many games as possible. Though, nowadays, you’re more likely to see me at Leigh supporting our Women’s team for whom I’ve held a season ticket for since their re-birth in 2018.
I’ve been keen to get involved in Rainbow Devils since I first heard about the group, as I believe our club has great potential to make a realm difference in the world through education and encouraging understanding amongst our global fanbase, as well as making attending matches a less hostile experience. I believe Rainbow Devils can help push United in the right direction, and I am proud to be a part of that.
Jessica Charlton Stringer (they/she) – Socials & Events / Branding & Merchandise
As you may have guessed, I come from a family utterly obsessed with sport, especially Manchester United (hence my name, a tribute to my dad’s favourite player!).
So, when I heard about the formation of Rainbow Devils, I was absolutely thrilled. To march alongside fellow fans at their and mine first Manchester Pride was simply amazing!
From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be more involved.
Joining the pre-match socials and other events has been an absolute joy, meeting like-minded supporters in such a welcoming and safe space is truly invaluable.
My passion for Rainbow Devils just kept growing, so I decided to take on a larger role in the committee.
Since joining, I’ve had the most unforgettable experiences, like playing on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford and even being filmed for a MUTV documentary!
It’s been a fabulous journey so far, and I’m so excited for what the future holds.