ALTRINCHAM’S pioneering anti-homophobia kit initiative has become an overnight global success after messages of support and requests for more information flooded into The J Davidson Stadium from all over the world.

Within hours of Alty’s announcement, club officials found themselves struggling to cope with the volume of media enquiries and communications congratulating them on their stance, as word spread of a history-making plan to mark Football v Homophobia month in trailblazing style.

In addition, the rainbow-coloured kit has caught the imagination to such an extent that demand for replica shirts has come from all corners of the globe.

SKkits owner Ian Senior, who is producing the one-off strip for the game with Bradford (Park Avenue) on February 16, said: "The response has been phenomenal, and news of what the club are doing has certainly spread far and wide.

"We have so far received about 100 orders from the United States, Germany, Hong Kong, France, Belgium, Sweden, Australia and Scotland, and that’s all inside the first couple of days."

Among the positive feedback received was an email from Robert King, who wrote: "I live in the US state of Rhode Island and have just read of your upcoming Football v Homophobia kit that your team will be wearing on February 16.

"Kudos to you! I am ashamed that professional sports in this country haven’t had the courage to follow your lead.

"Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it to the game in person. But is there a way for me to purchase shirts for my nieces/nephews and myself? They range in age from 5 to 14 and all play football, (NOT US football!) They live in California, Texas and Vietnam.’

Another American citizen, Tomas Marzullo, revealed how he was alerted to Alty’s groundbreaking show of support for Football v Homophobia after reading about it on a Sao Paulo-based website.

"I read an article about Altrincham FC will play with a Rainbow kit in few weeks," he wrote, in an email to the club.

"Are they being sold in the online store, I'd like to get two of them. Another question, does store ship to USA?"

Alty will become the first team to take to the field for a competitive game in a kit based on the LGBT Pride Flag, when they face Bradford at The J Davidson Stadium a week next Saturday.

In a one-off move that reflects the club’s unswerving commitment to inclusivity, the Robins’ celebrated red and white stripes, famed for so many FA Cup giant-killing acts down the years, will give way to a multi-coloured design based on the LGBT Pride Flag.

Reflecting on the distinction of Alty being the only club so far to demonstrate their support for the Football v Homophobia campaign in such a public and unequivocal way, director Bill Waterson admitted he had been taken aback by the reaction after being swamped with media requests for interviews and access, as well as soaring shirt sales.

"As I said on Thursday, we believe this will be the first time anywhere in the world that a senior football club has worn a kit solely modelled on the LGBT Pride Flag, and Altrincham will, therefore, be creating a small moment of football history.

"You would expect a level of interest in something historic, and we thought we might make a stir with our press release, but, even so, you have to say the response has been overwhelming.

"We are proud of our initiative, and it has obviously struck a chord, not only with the media, but football fans and the public in general. "Altrincham Football Club's Inclusion and Diversity message has travelled beyond these shores, with messages of support from Europe, the US and Brazil.

"How fantastically gratifying to see Altrincham’s name resonating with so many people so far and wide. There’s still nearly a fortnight to go before the game, so the aim will be to maintain interest right up to the day.

"We are auctioning the matchday shirts, with the profits going to Proud Trust, a Manchester youth LGBT+ organisation, and we will be announcing details of how you can bid for these shirts in the next day or so.

"Replica shirts are also available for purchase on altrinchamfc.com, with worldwide sales already into three figures."