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Tony Powell is the central figure in \u2018The Last Guest of the Holloway Motel\u2019 (images: Cassandra Giraldo and ITV Sport)<\/p>\n
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Football v Homophobia<\/a> (FvH) is teaming up with Leeds Queer Film Festival<\/a> (LQFF) and Hyde Park Picture House (HPPH) for a special screening and Q&A event for the highly acclaimed \u201cThe Last Guest of the Holloway Motel\u201d.<\/p>\n Happening on Leeds Pride weekend<\/a>, the event doubles as FvH\u2019s annual \u201cFootball Pride\u201d<\/a> summer get-together.<\/p>\n It will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with a 1.15pm start time at HPPH (73 Brudenell Road, Leeds, LS6 1JD). After the Q&A in the cinema (approximately 3.45pm), a social will be held at a nearby venue (tbc).<\/p>\n TICKETS ON SALE NOW<\/a><\/p>\n The moving documentary chronicles the double life of former Norwich City FC star Tony Powell.<\/p>\n More than 40 years after he commanded English top-flight football pitches as a no-nonsense centre-back who was named Norwich\u2019s Player of the Year, Powell is found living in Los Angeles, serving as the manager of the dilapidated Holloway Motel in West Hollywood.<\/p>\n Powell\u2019s life took a drastic turn in 1981 when he moved across the Atlantic to continue his playing career in the North American Soccer League (NASL). Shortly after the move, he vanished, abandoning his wife and family.<\/p>\n The documentary reveals the heartbreaking truth behind his sudden disappearance. Powell chose to build a completely new life in gay-friendly L.A. rather than face the devastating personal and professional repercussions of coming out at the absolute height of his British football career.<\/p>\n @thelastguestdoc<\/a> Tony Powell was a hall of famer and player of the year in 1979 for @norwichcityfc & @afcb He was closeted at time when being gay could still get you arrested in England. 45 years after his disappearance, he is discovered at the Holloway Motel and is ready to tell his incredible story. Playing in Los Angeles @lumierecinemala starting TODAY. #weho<\/a> #mystery<\/a> #soccer<\/a> #history<\/a> #heatedrivalry<\/a> \u266c original sound \u2013 tamz<\/a> <\/p>\n Co-directed by Ramiel Petros and Nicholas Freeman, the film has a powerful local connection, having been co-produced by former Leeds United player Robbie Rogers.<\/p>\n Alongside Powell, Rogers stands as one of only very few footballers to have played in the professional men\u2019s game in the U.K. and come out publicly as gay or bisexual.<\/p>\n The premiere and Q&A event forms the latest edition of \u201cFootball Pride\u201d, an FvH project and community designed to bring together LGBTQ people from all communities who share a passion for the beautiful game.<\/p>\n The first \u201cFootball Pride\u201d was a virtual festival held online during summer 2020. The event was re-imagined as an in-person celebration of queer football culture and held in Manchester (2023), London (2024) and Leicester (2025) with great success.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s event is being kindly sponsored by the Premier League. \u201cThe Last Guest of the Holloway Motel\u201d is yet to receive a U.K. release, either in cinemas or on streaming, so the screening in Leeds represents a rare chance to see the documentary outside of the U.S.<\/p>\n It previously screened in the U.K. at the BFI Flare Film Festival in London in March 2026.<\/p>\n FvH and LQFF are keen for the Northern U.K. premiere to be accessible to everyone in the community.<\/p>\n While standard tickets are now on sale directly through the HPPH website, a limited number of complimentary tickets have been set aside for those facing financial barriers.<\/p>\n Individuals who require a complimentary ticket are encouraged to message LQFF directly<\/a>.<\/p>\n Following the film, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an insightful, live Q&A session exploring Powell\u2019s legacy and the broader, evolving culture of LGBTQ+ inclusion in men\u2019s football.<\/p>\n Tickets are available now via the Hyde Park Picture House box office.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Watch the BFI Flare trailer for \u201cThe Last Guest of the Holloway Motel\u201d \u2013 now playing in Leeds on Saturday 18 July<\/p>\n Further reading\u2026<\/p>\n \u2018I just wanted to be who I am\u2019: the extraordinary story of Tony Powell, the secretly gay footballer<\/a> (The Guardian, March 2026)<\/p>\n Directors Ramiel Petros And Nicholas Freeman Talk \u2018The Last Guest Of The Holloway Motel\u2019 \u2013 \u201cFeel the fear and do it anyway\u201d<\/a> (Filmhounds, April 2026)<\/p>\n Justin Fashanu was the 1st out gay soccer pro. He had a gay teammate, a new film confirms.<\/a> (Outsports, July 2025)<\/p>\n Sports Media LGBT+ is a network, advocacy, and consultancy group that is helping to build a community of LGBTQ+ people and allies in sport. We\u2019re also a digital publisher and can help with your content requirements.\u00a0Learn more about us here.<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019re interested in your news and stories. Share with us and tap into a worldwide audience through our Google News affiliate website which attracts thousands of visitors, and our popular social channels.\u00a0Contact us<\/a>\u00a0to discuss how we can help you.<\/p>\n