Blackpool FC

2022 - 5 - 16

Jake Daniels - Justin Fashanu

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Accrington Observer"

Jake Daniels' school issues heartwarming statement after Blackpool ... (Accrington Observer)

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.

Jake Daniels is a role model for young people, says Blackpool Pride ... (BBC News)

"Just seeing someone like you on the pitch" is so important for LGBTQ+ fans, says Pride in Football.

It is so exciting and we want to invite him to Pride Blackpool on 11 June." "What a great character he must be to be so open and I'm certain he will go on to be a great player for the Seasiders." "From a Blackpool fan point of view hopefully it gives him the freedom in his own mind to fulfil his ability and go on and be a really top player." "It is absolutely amazing. "Blackpool fans will have no issues whatsoever and will welcome him as a great future for our great club," he said. He said his announcement had come at the end of a "fantastic" season.

Jake Daniels: who is Blackpool FC footballer and first openly gay ... (NationalWorld)

Jake Daniels' announcement that he is gay has been welcomed as an "historic day" for English football, with England captain Harry Kane among many who have ...

“The subject of being gay, or bi or queer in men’s football is still a taboo,” he said. That was a great reaction because it showed how much they cared.” Now I can just live my life how I want to and you know what? It’s the best thing I could have asked for. It’s an easy thing for people to target. So this was the one last thing in my head that I knew I needed to do. “When this season started, I just wanted to prove myself as a player. It’s been incredible.” They said that football has made "a lot of progress quickly" since then, and they believe that having an openly gay footballer in the men's game and "just seeing someone like you on the pitch" may have a "powerful" effect on LGBTQ+ fans. Daniels told Sky Sports: “It’s been quite a crazy year. 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.

Burnley's Ian McKellen praises Blackpool FC's Jake Daniels for ... (Lancashire Telegraph)

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.

Every word Blackpool FC footballer Jake Daniels said during ... (Blackpool Gazette)

Yesterday, Blackpool's Jake Daniels became the UK's first male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

“I just want to do this for other people. “I’m having such a good year but there was this one massive thing left in my head that I needed to come out. “There’s a lot of different aspects for other people. “Yes, a lot of the time. Lying all the time isn’t what I’ve wanted to do, it’s been a struggle but now I feel like I’m ready to be myself, to be free and to be confident with it all.” “My teammates have been so supportive about it and they’ve all had my back. “That’s what I’m hoping for. They’ve all been asking questions and are intrigued about what actually happened, so it’s been amazing. We’re like a family to each other.” But I don’t want to keep lying anymore.” “Yes, it did impact my mental health. And what impact did it have on your football?

Gary Lineker praises Blackpool footballer Jake Daniels for coming ... (Daily Mail)

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said other gay footballers have likely been 'waiting to see how it pans out for whoever's first' and could now 'follow ...

'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 is a day of great importance for him and for English football. I think it comes down to how a lot of footballers want to be known for their masculinity. Prince William led praise and tributes to Blackpool FC footballer Jake Daniels after he came out as gay yesterday. Match of the Day host Lineker told BBC Breakfast this morning: 'He is going down a path that many, many others will follow - they've probably just been waiting to see how it pans out for whoever's first. 'I want people to know the real me and lying all the time just isn't what I wanted to do. Whether you are a football fan or not, to have this 17-year-old who is so articulate and so dignified it's very special.

Bolton's Ian McKellen praises Blackpool FC's Jake Daniels for coming out (The Bolton News)

BOLTON actor, Sir Ian McKellen, has praised Blackpool FC's Jake Daniels after he came out as gay on Monday. The actor and prominent LGBT campaigner said Daniels represents a generation which “rejects old-fashioned homophobia” in football and hailed him ...

Jake Daniels coming out is 'massive for future of football' (Kent Online)

A bisexual Kent footballer believes having an openly gay professional player will change the game for the next generation.

I want to be a role model myself by doing this." "We do have some really ignorant and uneducated people in the world that may not necessarily understand that in order for him to go and do his job, which football is, it's a job, he needs to be as comfortable as he can be. "It's not for anybody else to go and expose that information if they're not ready to do so because that could be really internally damaging, you know, not only to the player themselves, but to their family, to their team mates, and it creates a speculation that isn't necessary." He added: "For me to have gone through that and experienced that and then still be in a really good mental space, I think is really important because it could potentially be something that Jake faces unfortunately. Jahmal hopes that Jake is able to take comments in his stride and do his job with "a big smile on his face". He said: "For him to be 17 and only recently turning 17, and making a decision that is of course going to shape the outcome of his future is honestly amazing.

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