Blackpool FC

'I am just confident and happy to be myself finally,' Jake Daniels said as he became the only openly gay male professional footballer in Britain.

But the truth is I will be crucified.” A young man who should not have to be defined by this one moment, or this one part of his identity. But my family raised me to be an individual and to stand up for what I believe in.” He added: “The subject of being gay, or bi or queer, in men’s football, is still a taboo. 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. There was no precedent, so everybody could only speculate on what would happen.” “People see being gay as being weak, something you can be picked on for on the football field. “ So shout what you want, it’s not going to make a difference.” “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. It was impacting my mental health. I asked myself if I should wait until I’ve retired to come out.

Blackpool will visit Southport for the third summer running as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

It was Blackpool’s first outing since the 2019/20 campaign was ended early due to the pandemic. The 2022/23 Championship campaign gets underway early next season due to the winter World Cup in Qatar. The now traditional trip to Merseyside will form part of Blackpool’s early preparations for the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

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No other player in the professional game here is out," he told Sky Sports. "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. Now I am just confident and happy to be myself finally." I want to be a role model myself by doing this," he added.

Blackpool FC footballer Jake Daniels has publicly revealed he's gay - becoming the only openly gay male professional in Britain.

“There are people out there in the same space as me that may not feel comfortable revealing their sexuality. “But off the pitch I’ve been hiding the real me and who I really am. I want to be a role model myself by doing this.

Blackpool FC's Jake Daniels has come out as gay in a televised interview today, becoming Britain's only openly gay active professional player.

'It's absurd that coming out is a brave thing to do in football,' the former Tottenham and Barcelona star tweeted. '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. Only then may we see more players, like Jake, willing to step out of the shadows - and live the life they truly wish to.' 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. Commenting on the announcement this afternoon, Amal Fashanu, said: 'The Justin Fashanu Foundation would like to commend Jake for the immense bravery he has shown today by taking this step in making his sexuality public. Huge love and respect to @Jake-Daniels11 for showing such courage and blazing a trail for others to follow.' 'It’s long overdue for a player to "come out" even though it’s ridiculous that it’s even necessary. It is a day of great importance for him and for English football. The Professional Footballers' Association also added: 'We are extremely proud of Jake and have been working with him and his club. 'The captain (Chris Maxwell) was one of the main people I told and he also asked me loads of questions. I think it comes down to how a lot of footballers want to be known for their masculinity. He then bounced from Leyton Orient to non-league Southall and then Leatherhead, a semi-pro club.

Personalities across English football and beyond have been spreading messages of support following Jake Daniels' courageous announcement.

“Our message to anyone in the game who's thinking about a similar, extremely personal decision is simple - whatever you decide, and however you choose to move forward, we are here for you. Football is a game for all.” PFA: “We are extremely proud of Jake and have been working with him and his club. “The Premier League will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. “Clubs and communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome, on and off the pitch. We hope that this moment helps take us forward to a time where LGBTQ+ representation across the men’s professional game is the norm.

Former footballer Justin Fashanu become the first active gay professional footballer in the 1990's and now Daniels has followed in his footsteps. He has touched ...

"I know that every situation is different and that there are a lot of different factors for other people to consider that will scare them a lot, especially in football. "Of course I am aware that there will be a reaction to this and some of it will be homophobic, maybe in a stadium and on social media. It is vital that we all promote an environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves, and that football leads the way in removing any form of discrimination and prejudice." I just want to get it all out and for people to hear my story. I am only 17 but I am clear that this is what I want to do and if, by me coming out, other people look at me and feel maybe they can do it as well, that would be brilliant. Now I can just live my life how I want to and you know what? The way I see it is that I am playing football and they are shouting stuff at me, but they are paying to watch me play football and I am living my life and making money from it. 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. "I wasn't ready and it was a struggle but I just don't want to lie any more. "I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it, when I want to do it. 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. . And I would reply, "no, I'm not".

The academy where Blackpool striker Jake Daniels was once a student have shared their pride over following his announcement regarding his sexuality this ...

"I know that every situation is different and that there are a lot of different factors for other people to consider that will scare them a lot, especially in football. I am only 17 but I am clear that this is what I want to do and if, by me coming out, other people look at me and feel maybe they can do it as well, that would be brilliant. "Of course I am aware that there will be a reaction to this and some of it will be homophobic, maybe in a stadium and on social media. I am hoping that by coming out, I can be a role model, to help others come out if they want to. The way I see it is that I am playing football and they are shouting stuff at me, but they are paying to watch me play football and I am living my life and making money from it. We would like to congratulate Blackpool FC on the support that they have given Jake on this momentous day.

The Burnley-born actor and prominent LGBT campaigner said Daniels represents a generation which “rejects old-fashioned homophobia” in football and hailed him as ...

Football is a game for all.” “With that said, well done to him. No wonder so many of us, gay and everyone else, admire and treasure him as a hero. What a goal he's scored!” I want to be a role model myself by doing this." In a statement, the 17-year-old Blackpool forward said: "I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself.