Jake Daniels: Why Blackpool forward's decision is a watershed moment for British football

It shouldn't matter, and to many it won't.

The idea that a footballer's sexuality should be news will seem strange to most people.

Good luck to him, and let him play.

Jake Daniels' decision to speak publicly about his homosexuality is a landmark moment for British football.

Why?

To find the last time that an active male professional footballer in the UK felt comfortable enough to come out, you have to go back more than 30 years.

The men's game has changed a lot since then.

Gay and bisexual men play regularly at a grassroots level, and it is hard to find a club in the English game that does not have at least one of them.

Since Fashanu, not a single man has felt comfortable enough to play professionally in the English game.

Daniels has changed the game with a few words.

For the first time in three decades, gay football fans can watch a men's match in England and see someone like them on the pitch.

Gay players can do the same, as long as they feel like they can share their story, as a direct result of Daniels decision.

Gay men who felt excluded from the game because of their sexuality may be tempted to give the sport another chance.

There are still issues that football needs to address when it comes to making people feel welcome.

Daniels decision to come out won't address the issue of homophobic chanting on the terraces, or alter the sort of policies that see major tournaments awarded to countries that criminalise LGBTQ+ people, or impact on any of the other structural and institutional issues that can make gay people

Those are conversations for another day.

Daniels has felt comfortable enough to be himself and football is more welcoming today than it was yesterday.

That is something to be celebrated.

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'First sign that football is finally catching up'

Lauren Moss is a lesbian and identity correspondent.

This announcement by a young player at the very start of his career is a huge moment for the game and the LGBT community.

There were 40 openly gay, lesbian and bisexual players at the World Cup, but football is a long way behind the rest of society. Cricket and athletics got there a couple of years ago.

So why is it different? Homophobia is still a big problem, with the type of language that can be used on the pitch and in the stands often brushed off. Many clubs and charities have been campaigning for a change in attitude for a long time. This is the first sign that football is catching up.

Increased visibility and representation will be a huge step towards inclusivity for players and fans. Josh Cavallo became the first professional player to come out after former Hull City academy player Thomas Beattie announced that he was gay in 2020.

There are two openly gay male professional football players. Is a stigma broken down? The support for Daniels from his team-mates, his club and their fans could be significant.