James Adcock, a referee for football, speaks to BBC's LGBT Sport Podcast
"I am very grateful for the fact that I am an openly gay football player."
James Adcock is an established figure in the English game. He has refereed over 500 matches during a career that took him from amateur to the Premier League.
Adcock gave an exclusive interview to the BBC's LGBT Sport podcast to coincide with National Coming Out Day. He was reflecting on his time playing the game and explaining why it is now the right time for him to talk about his sexuality.
"Referees don't have to be robots. We're not the bad guys in football."
Adcock was a football fan from a young age and had a father who refereed in the Football League. Perhaps it was natural that Adcock would eventually get into refereeing.
He tells BBC Sport that he felt the same way when he started to explore it.
"Sport and fitness have been a part of my life all my life." Refereeing was a natural progression from my father's.
Adcock, 37 years old, began officiating alongside his job as a PE teacher.
In 2016, he was elected to the EFL's Select Group 2 External-Link. He became a full-time referee, taking charge of matches in both the Championship and acting as fourth official in Premier League.
It was, in many ways, his dream assignment.
"Referees don't have to be robots. Adcock states that we are not the bad guys in football.
"We take in all that is football, the drama and the passion.
"The best moments are when you walk out into the crowds on the first day of Christmas to see the last game of the season, and it means something to a club.
"This is the greatest sport in the world and we love it as much as everyone else."
Adcock was a fourth official for the Premier League.
"People are aware that I am gay and accept it. I'm blessed for that."
Adcock grew up in the 1980s and 1990s hearing the same old stereotypes about gay people.
Adcock was only 27 when he came out, but his experiences in the game were nothing but positive.
He says, "As I went from part-time football to full-time football, some knew and others didn't."
"Now all of my colleagues know that it's the norm. To be fair, some colleagues have expressed interest in James's ability to openly be gay in sport. They know the obstacles that still exist.
"They are supportive of me and won't change how they talk to me. They thought I was heterosexual and they now know I'm gay.
"I don’t have to wear a Tshirt that says: 'I’m James Adcock, and I’m a homosexual guy.' People accept the fact that they know it and are open to accepting it.
"I have not been subject to homophobic abuse and I cannot tell you any story of how I have had to overcome or combat it."
"There's no problem from the top down"
Adcock is the second highest-ranking male official to openly discuss his sexuality in English football. Ryan Atkin came out in 2017.
He is now looking for support from others in similar situations.
He says that many referees will believe they cannot come out as it could affect their progress within the sport.
"But your sexuality is not a defining factor. If you believe in yourself enough, you will be supported by every colleague. It won't affect you.
"Whether you are gay or straight, you must choose to be gay. From the top, it's not an issue.
"My family, friends, and football colleagues have been so supportive."
Adcock, who suffered from injury, has resumed refereeing in Football League on a temporary basis. Adcock also used lockdown to launch an online fitness and health consultancy.
He says, "For me to feel confident I like to be happy and the best I can be."
"I wanted that to go back into the community and I enjoy helping others do what I have done. If I can take care of my body and self, then I want to do the same for others."
He hopes that speaking out about his sexuality will not change how he is perceived when he takes over a Football League match.
He says, "Just treat me like you would treat any other person." "You are there as a fan, player or manager. You judge me on how I perform."
"That's the basis of my judgment. "I'm not refereeing gay football games, I'm refereeing them because I am a normal human being.
"That's why my family, my friends and my football colleagues have been so supportive. It doesn't matter that my gay involvement in sport and refereeing in Football League is something I'm involved in.
James Adcock spoke to BBC's LGBT Sport podcast. BBC Sounds is where you can listen to new episodes each Wednesday.
