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.

Continue reading this article on SportsDesk, the sports website of the Times of Malta

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