UK's first active male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay

[Bluemoon dan]

The fact he's done so now after Blackpool have played their last game of the season is sadly significant and shows there's still a long way to go. An encouraging sign though that it has finally happened

 

[1978 & still here]

Good luck to the lad.

 

[bobmcfc]

Well nobody needed to know, he could just get on with his own private life, privately...

He might want to go out in public with a partner or be openly affectionate. He shouldn't have to hide who is because he's a footballer. I think this is amazing because it paves the way for others who don't live freely thorough fear of retaliation

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

Why is it that football seems to be behind the rest of society on this one issue? Particularly as they've tried to lead with the rainbow laces campaign etc.

Is it just football? I am not aware of it in rugby or boxing or F1? Maybe football should lead the way.

Good luck to the lad, showing the way forward, anyone chanting about it should be docked points.

 

[bobmcfc]

This is why there is reluctance

 

[Akai]

Good for him!

Why is this in City's forum and not General football?

 

[bigstanhibbert]

Wish him all the best, who really cares about his sexual orientation as long as he is happy - life can be very tough and unforgiving for many but as long as he doesn't score against City......

 

[SatOnTheWall]

Is it just football? I am not aware of it in rugby or boxing or F1? Maybe football should lead the way.

Good luck to the lad, showing the way forward, anyone chanting about it should be docked points.

Nah.

What the lad does in his private life is none of my buisiness. I wish him well, like I would any other member of the human race.

 

[Dobsy]

Well done to him, he won't realise how much it will mean to many. A lot of people in football have worked for this day for a long time.

 

[Eccles Blue]

Well done to him. Very brave decision and I hope he gets the support he deserves. Good luck young man.

 

[Bill]

Good for him!

Why is this in City's forum and not General football?

fair point .
moved.

 

[inchy14]

It shouldn't be news in this day and age but guarantee he will get abuse every game he plays from mindless idiots.
Someone will make a rumour up linking him with Brighton in the next few weeks too.

Like you just have lol. Fucking hell

Brave and imo correct decision and hopefully others will follow suit. I bet he’ll make a fortune in some big sponsorship deals now and fucking fair play to him.

 

[inchy14]

This is why there is reluctance

He’s a fucking cünt and should be banned for it.

 

[Dobsy]

Like you just have lol. Fucking hell

Brave and imo correct decision and hopefully others will follow suit. I bet he’ll make a fortune in some big sponsorship deals now and fucking fair play to him.

Signed with Adidas a week ago. Probably not a coincidence but like you say, fair play.

 

[bigstanhibbert]

Is it just football? I am not aware of it in rugby or boxing or F1? Maybe football should lead the way.

Good luck to the lad, showing the way forward, anyone chanting about it should be docked points.

Pretty sure some have come out in both Rugby League and Union, the problem being is the crowds' and their responses. Football fans are often neanderthal as a collective but cowards as individuals, hope he gets on with his life with the support of his family and friends

 

[Vienna_70]

Well done, Jake.

It must have taken a lot of courage to have opened up on this, considering the amount of stick he will almost certainly take from opposition supporters.

 

[Ric]

Incredibly brave thing for such a young lad to do. Great respect to him.

 

[BLUEisville]

Good on him.

Statistically speaking, between the first team/EDS/academy, there is possibly one or more City players who are gay. Hopefully they see this news, hear support from the club and their team mates, and are better for it.

 

[crazyg]

It shouldn't be news in this day and age but guarantee he will get abuse every game he plays from mindless idiots.
Someone will make a rumour up linking him with Brighton in the next few weeks too.

It would be a great move for him. Premier League football!
Good luck to him.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Not sure why this player in particular chose to divulge his sexuality. Maybe he was about to be 'outed' by a third party, or maybe he was fed up of keeping up the pretence. Whatever the reason, fair play. Courageous decision.

Statistically there are likely to be at least one or two gay players in every squad, but it has absolutely no bearing on footballing matters, and frankly I don't care what a players sexual orientation is.