Blackpool teenager Jake Daniels’ decision to come out as the first gay professional footballer in the UK men’s game in more than 30 years was heralded as a historic moment on Monday.
The 17-year-old forward made the announcement in a statement on the Championship club’s website.
“Off the pitch I’ve been hiding the real me and who I really am,” he said. “I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself.
Former Norwich and Nottingham Forest striker Justin Fashanu came out publicly as gay in 1990, during his playing career.