The treasurer of Mersey Marauders Football Club believes Jake Daniels’ decision to come out as the UK's only openly gay male professional footballer is a huge step in the right direction for the sport.
Francis Wight has explained how the Blackpool youngster could become the perfect role model for so many males in football after he became the first professional in the UK men's game for more than 30 years to come out while still playing.
Daniels, who publicly came out as gay in an interview with Sky Sports on Monday, spoke about how he was 'keen to break the stigma' and how he felt ready to be himself after 'such a long time of lying' about who he was when explaining his decision to go public.
READ MORE: Jake Daniels: Blackpool player comes out as gay as he wants people 'to know the real me'
READ MORE: All the LGBT+ inclusive sports teams you can join around Merseyside
“It is massive news. I’m shocked by it, to be honest, it is something that myself and a lot of my team-mates think about a lot as we are all football fans,” Wight told the ECHO.
“We all love playing and we all love watching our teams. It is one of those things you watch out for but never think is going to happen.
“It has been such a long time since a professional footballer in this country came out. But, to be honest, the main feeling is so much admiration for him.
“It is incredibly brave for a 17-year-old in that sort of level of scrutiny and under such a glaring spotlight to come out. He is such an incredible role model to so many young people. It is amazing news.”
Before Wight continued: “It is something that is really important to the club is that football is for everyone and something that a lot of our players have experienced is homophobia in sport.
“That would often put people off playing when they were at school or younger and what we want is a society where football is an encouraging inclusive place for everyone.
“This is a really good step in that direction because it demonstrates to people that it doesn't matter what sexuality you are, what gender you are, football is there to be enjoyed as a sport. This is a really encouraging step in that direction.”
Officially formed in 2008, the Marauders' aim is to offer LGBT+ people the opportunity to play football in a supportive and inclusive environment. The idea for the club came from former player Steve Hess, who played for the famous LGBT+ team Stonewall FC in London.
And Wight has spoken of his pride after being able to create an environment where people can meet, play and feel safe while doing something they love.
He said: “Something I’m really proud of at the club is that we have got players who have never really been put off playing football.
“They are quite confident players who have been playing all their lives. But then we do have people who might have liked football and went to one or two games who have never played before.
“They have been looking for an environment where they can feel welcome and they do feel they have people around them who do similar things to them.
“I’m really proud we are able to create that space for people who are less confident and who can come along, play football, make friends and build a community around something they love.”
Mersey Marauders are always looking for new players who define themselves as LGBT+ and if anyone is interested in joining the club then they should contact the club via e-mail on info@merseymaraudersfc.co.uk or via Facebook.
