Retired footballer Thomas Beattie has come out as gay. He follows in the footsteps of Justin Fashanu and American player Robbie Rogers.
However, the key word in the first sentence was ‘retired.’ Just when will a player still active in the game reveal that they are gay?Beattie, 33, is unlikely to be a player you will instantly recognise.
Although born in England, he failed to establish himself in this country after a spell at Hull City. At the age of 19 he left these shores and went to Limestone College in the US on a football scholarship.He went on to play for Scottish side Kilmarnock and Sandefjord in Norway, before heading to Canada.
Beattie went on to join Forest City London, London City and Ottawa Fury.