An LGBTQ+ football fan said they “can’t stop smiling” after a Blackpool player became the first professional in the men’s game to come out as gay in 30 years. Jake Daniels, 17, released a statement today saying he has always known he is gay and that he was ready to “come out and be myself”.
For Joe White, co-chair of Pride In Football, a network of UK LGBTQ+ fan groups, it was a big moment. Describing their feelings to PA, they said: “It’s just a lot of amazement, awe at Jake, and it’s just wonderful.
“I can’t stop smiling whenever we’re talking about it so I think that says it all.” Mx White said that when they were younger football was “not a welcoming place” for LGBTQ+ people.
“I’d go to games and you’d hear homophobic chanting, homophobic slurs,” they said. “And when you realise that, actually, those words are about someone like you, it makes it feel like football is an alienating place and not somewhere that you are welcome as your authentic self.”
Since then football has made “a lot of progress quickly”, they said, but there has been no openly gay player in the professional men’s game in England since Justin Fashanu. Having an openly gay footballer in the men’s game and “just seeing someone like you on the pitch” could therefore have a “powerful” effect for LGBTQ+ fans, they said.
Daniels received messages of support online from a host of Premier League clubs, governing bodies and players, including England captain Harry Kane and Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea. The leaders of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties also expressed their support, along with figures from the wider worlds of sport and entertainment.
Mx White, who is also co-chair of Arsenal and England LGBTQ+ fan groups, said they were pleased to see Daniels’ statement had been greeted with “overwhelming positivity”. “It’s been really promising to see how many people are getting behind and showing their support for him on social media,” they said.
“The Premier League clubs have been tweeting already and sadly, yes, you do get a few trolls and homophobes still, but it’s been lovely to see overwhelming positivity across the board.” Mx White predicted there will “most definitely” be a number of LGBTQ+ fans keeping an eye on Blackpool next season.
“It’s just lovely to see people living their authentic life and being as good as they can be,” they said. “And if he becomes the next English superstar, I really hope that he comes to Arsenal.”
Tony Burnett, the chief executive of the game’s anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, said it was now vital Daniels was given the correct support. “The bravery Jake has shown today will hopefully go some way to showing that men’s football is becoming an environment in which LGBTQ+ people feel welcome and comfortable to be their authentic selves,” Burnett said.
“We now have a renewed responsibility to him and the LGBTQ+ community at large to work with all clubs and stakeholders to ensure that he receives the right support now, and that the infrastructure is in place to ensure that he can continue on his footballing journey like any other 17-year-old. This is a big story, and an historic day in English football, but we need to remember that there is a young man at the heart of it.
"A young man who should not have to be defined by this one moment, or this one part of his identity. We wish Jake a long and successful career in football. He has our full and unwavering support.”
Tottenham striker Kane, meanwhile, paid tribute to Daniels on Twitter. He wrote: “Massive credit to you @Jake_Daniels11 and the way your friends, family, club, and captain have supported you. Football should be welcoming for everyone.”
Liz Ward, the director of programmes at LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall, said: “Stonewall is proud to provide ongoing support to Jake, his close network and Blackpool FC to navigate the challenges of coming out in the public eye. This is an opportunity for everyone involved in football – from the players to the fans in the stands – to support Jake and show that football is everybody’s game.”
The Football Association said Daniels was “an inspiration to us all” and added: “We fully support your decision to be open about this part of yourself. Football is a game for all, with diversity at its heart, and this is a hugely positive step as we strive to build an inclusive game that we can all be proud of.
“We are with you and we hope your story will help to give people across the game the strength and encouragement to be their true self.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “Thank you for your bravery Jake, it would have taken huge courage to come out and you will be an inspiration to many both on and off the pitch.”
Amal Fashanu, founder of The Justin Fashanu Foundation, hailed Daniels’ “immense bravery” and hopes his announcement will prove a turning point for players. She said: “If my Uncle Justin were alive I know he would have been one of the first people to have contacted Jake to offer his support and best wishes.
"Justin’s wish was to create a society where people could simply be kinder to one another and where bigotry doesn’t exist. Jake’s announcement will come as a huge comfort to the many footballers at all levels of the game – from grass roots to the professional leagues – still secretly living as gay and who still feel unable to come out.
“I truly hope this announcement marks a turning point and that other footballers, who wish to do so, feel they can talk more openly about the life they lead off the field. The sad reality is there is still a lot of homophobia in the game, at all levels.
"Until the authorities take firm and more decisive action I am concerned many players will continue to live in secret, wrongly believing they have something to be ashamed of. Homophobia in the game needs to be treated with the zero tolerance approach racism rightly receives. Only then may we see more players, like Jake, willing to step out of the shadows – and live the life they truly wish to.”
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