Blackpool footballer Jake Daniels has come out as a gay in a historic TV interview.
The 17-year-old, who only signed a professional deal with the club earlier this year, made the announcement in an interview with Sky Sports earlier today.
He said: "Now is the right time to do it. I feel like I am ready to tell people my story. I want people to know the real me. I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it, when I want to do it. I know now is the time. I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all.
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"I can't really put a date on it, but I was probably five or six years old when I knew I was gay. So it's been a long time that I have been living with the lie. At that age you don't really think that football and being gay doesn't mix. You just think, one day, when I'm older I'll get a girlfriend and I will change and it will be fine.
"But as you get older you realise you can't just change. It doesn't work like that. I did have girlfriends in the past, to try and make all my mates think I was straight, but it was just a massive cover-up. In school people even used to ask me: 'are you sure you aren't gay?' And I would reply, 'no, I'm not'. I wasn't ready and it was a struggle but I just don't want to lie any more.
"For a long time I've thought I would have to hide my truth because I wanted to be, and now I am, a professional footballer. I asked myself if I should wait until I've retired to come out. No other player in the professional game here is out. However, I knew that would lead to a long time of lying and not being able to be myself or lead the life that I want to.
"Since I've come out to my family, my club and my team-mates, that period of overthinking everything and the stress it created has gone. It was impacting my mental heath. Now I am just confident and happy to be myself finally.
"I first told my mum and my sister, who I live with. 'Yeah, we already knew,' was how they reacted. Then we told my whole family and at this point I was quite scared because I didn't know how the older generation might react.
"I needn't have worried. I've had so many messages saying, 'we are proud and we are supportive'. It's been amazing. I couldn't have wished for it to go better.
"The day after I told my mum and sister, we played Accrington [in an under-18s fixture] and I scored four goals, so it just shows how much of a weight off the shoulders and what a massive relief it was.
"And Blackpool have been absolutely amazing too. I am with them every day and I felt safe. My team-mates have all been so supportive about it and everyone has had my back. They've been asking tons of questions, they have all been intrigued and their reaction has been brilliant. It's the best thing I could have asked for.
"Of course, everyone was kind of shocked in a way and they were asking why I didn't tell them earlier. That was a great reaction because it showed how much they cared.
"The captain was one of the main people I told and he also asked me loads of questions. In the end he just said, 'I'm just so proud of you'. It meant so much.
"I like it when people ask questions. I just want to get it all out and for people to hear my story.
"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. 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."
Daniels made his professional debut for Blackpool against Peterborough in May, and is the first male player to come out while playing in the Football League since 1990. His announcement comes after The Sun claimed an unnamed player was planning to "break the stigma" around homosexuality in the men's game.
A source reportedly told the paper: "The player told club officials and his manager about this a few weeks ago and his family already knew. The club made it very clear it was his decision and they would back what he wanted to do. He told his teammates, some as recently as Friday, and they offered him their backing too. Football dressing rooms have moved with the times and none of the players see it as a big deal. They are all more interested in how he plays and trains. He is a highly valued member of the team."
While there are plenty of openly gay players in the women's game, male players have largely been reluctant to publicly express their sexuality amid concerns that it would spark abuse.
Currently, Adelaide United's Josh Cavallo is the only other current male footballer to have come out as gay, although several stars, including former Aston Villa man Thomas Hitzlsperger, have opened up on their sexuality since hanging up their boots.
Justin Fashanu is the only other player to have come out while playing in the Football League. He revealed his sexuality in 1990 before tragically taking his own life eight years later. His death has since sparked concerns over the sorts of challenges that gay players still face, but there is increasing hope of positive change.
Amal Fashanu, the niece of Justin, runs the Justin Fashanu Foundation, an organisation which fights against homophobia in honour of her late uncle, and has offered her support to the unnamed Championship player.
She said: "This is very encouraging news and shows the positive steps that have been taken in society and in football. I am sure he will get a positive reaction and it may pave the way for others."
