Grassroots LGBT+ teams gunning for GFSN Cup glory after Jake Daniels' brave coming out

The brave coming out story of Blackpool striker Jake Daniels last week has helped lead the way for LGBT+ footballers to finally thrive at the professional level.

Further down the pyramid, in the grassroots, LGBT+ football has also been riding a high this season. To bring the curtain down on a breakthrough campaign for the community, Village Manchester will take on the Dublin Devils in the final of the Gay Football Supporters Network Cup on Saturday.

More than 20 LGBT+ inclusive teams from across the UK and Ireland have spent the past seven months battling for a place in the showpiece event. The Devils began their bid for a maiden GFSN Cup back in October's preliminary rounds, and have become the first-ever Irish team to reach the final.

Given the team have had to fly over from the Republic of Ireland for two of their four games so far in the competition, it is a remarkable achievement. And it is a cup run that Devils captain Adam Kane believes can help to drive his club forward as they celebrate their 17th anniversary.

"We had two home games which were a blessing because, the Ryanair's were grand, but it was all the hotels and other bits just catch up with you. It was never an issue to go over on short notice for some of the lads," Kane exclusively told Mirror Football.

"It's just a testament to how strong our resolve is and how we want to do well in the competition. There's always that dynamic of an Irish team playing an English or a British team, whether it's football or rugby or cricket, we always punch above our weight. I don't know if that's applied here but we have a really good team, I'm delighted with how we've done.

"Even now, it's got a lot of eyes on it, especially as we're playing in a League of Ireland