Blackpool forward Jake Daniels becomes first professional footballer in UK to come out as gay in 32 years

Blackpool FC forward Jake Daniels has become the UK’s first active male professional footballer to come out as gay in 32 years. The 17-year-old forward is the first in the men’s professional game to come out publicly as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990 and is now Britain's only active openly gay professional player.

The star made the announcement in a televised interview. He told Sky Sports: “It’s been quite a crazy year. I’m 17. I’ve signed a professional contract. I’ve scored 30 goals this season and I’ve just made my first team debut in the Championship, coming off the bench against Peterborough.

“And now I have decided to come out. Everything has happened at once but it feels right. When this season started, I just wanted to prove myself as a player. I think I have.

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“So this was the one last thing in my head that I knew I needed to do. Now it’s out, and people know. Now I can just live my life how I want to and you know what? It’s been incredible.”

He went on to add that the subject of 'being gay, or bi or queer' in men's football is 'still a taboo' and that he hoped to be a 'role model' to help others in their journeys. Daniels has shone at youth level for Blackpool in the past season, scoring 30 goals for the under-19s and striking against Chelsea and Newcastle in the FA Youth Cup.

He continued: “The subject of being gay, or bi or queer in men’s football is still a taboo. I think it comes down to how a lot of footballers want to be known for their masculinity. And people see being gay as being weak, something you can be picked on for on the football field.

“It’s an easy thing for people to target. The way I see it is that I