FOOTBALLER Zander Murray says he has been overwhelmed by messages of support after becoming the first senior Scottish football player to reveal he is gay.
The Gala Fairydean Rovers striker made the announcement last week, saying he made the decision in an effort to help others who might be struggling to open up.
It comes after Blackpool midfielder Jake Daniels became the first active professional player in the UK to announce he is gay since Justin Fashanu did in 1990.
Murray, 30, who is currently in his fourth season with the Lowland League club, said the past few days have been a whirlwind and that he feels “humbled” by the positive reaction from people.
He told BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “It’s been crazy, I’ll be honest.
“I didn’t anticipate the reach it’s reached and how many people it’s inspired and motivated and the lovely messages.
“The private messages of people and fans alike, people from other communities, from other sports, football players in the leagues messaging me support, asking for guidance and help.
“It fills my heart with so much joy, and to be sitting here I’m so humbled. It’s amazing.”
In an interview with his club website last week Murray said being open about his sexuality “feels like the weight of the world is now off my shoulders”.
Murray was asked how much of a barrier football was to him being open about his sexuality.
He said: “It’s been so challenging, mainly in my head I’ll be brutally honest, I’ve just created so many issues with it.
“And obviously things have happened in the past, that’s been preying on my mind, and not having a lot of role models growing up, that was a huge challenge for me.”
He said it has been great to see other players being open about their sexuality such as Daniels and referees Craig Napier and Lloyd Wilson, who in June revealed they were gay, and Australian player Josh Cavallo.
Murray said that he hopes he can also act as a role model for other players.
He said: “These are tremendous role models for our game and our younger generations, a young me if I had that, you know maybe things might have been different, but I never.
“So I think having these people is incredible and I hope I can play a small part in doing that for the rest of my life, for the rest of my life even when I stop playing football.”
