Sky Sports News. ‘I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it, when I want to do it. I know now is the time.
I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all.’Here is his message to his fans in full. ‘This season has been a fantastic one for me on the pitch.
I’ve made my first-team debut, scored 30 goals for the youth team, signed my first professional contract and shared success with my team-mates, going on a great run in the FA Youth Cup and lifting the Lancashire FA Pro-Youth Cup.
But off the pitch I’ve been hiding the real me and who I really am. I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself.It’s a step into the unknown being one of the first footballers in this country to reveal my sexuality, but I’ve been inspired by Josh Cavallo, Matt Morton and athletes from other sports, like Tom Daley, to have the courage and determination to drive change.