Justin Fashanu would have turned 55 on Friday, and nearly 20 years on his suicide remains a powerful talking point inside football. Notts TV sport presenter Christian Hewgill looks back on the life of the former Nottingham Forest and Notts County Icon.
Not a single British professional footballer has come out as gay since Justin Fashanu – but some inside the game think that might finally be about to change.
In 1990 the former Forest and Notts County star made headlines around the world by revealing his sexuality to a tabloid newspaper.
He committed suicide in 1998 and the story surrounding his death sent shock waves through the game.
Nearly 20 years on and one local professional footballer believes the sport is ready to accept another gay player, while the campaign to make gay footballers feel comfortable enough to come out, continues.
Mike Edwards is a player and coach at Notts County, Justin’s former club.
An experienced pro, he’s wore the Magpies black and white for nearly a decade.
He believes the world of football has moved on since Justin came out – and any gay player in the modern game would be judged on ability – not sexuality.
He said: “People use the word ‘banter’ in football. It still goes on but I think nowadays players are more aware and I think dressing rooms have changed a fair bit to be honest.
“There would be a lot more acceptance and personally I wouldn’t have a problem with it. If one of my team mates was homosexual – it’s not a problem.
“I think it’s the same with fans – if you’ve got the world’s best player, fans will treat him the same on the pitch.”
Fashanu’s story ended in tragedy. He was found hanged in a garage in Shoreditch, London, after being accused of sexual assault.
He denied the allegations, fearing his sexuality would mean he’d never be given a fair trial.
Today, there’s no doubt his story still inspires many to this day.
Musicians Elephants and Castles used his name for their debut single and his name was the focus of a campaign for tackling homophobia in football.
He was the gay ambassador, so to speak, of football
But Steven Grocock of the LGBT Magpies believes prejudice still exists in the game. Last year he was prevented from putting up an LGBT banner at a match by a steward at a ground outside of Notts, an incident which left him shaken and upset.
He said: “He is almost a legend to LGBT football fans in that respect. He was the gay ambassador, so to speak, of football.
“He could have paved the way a lot better than he did, but unfortunately time didn’t allow that.”
In recent years a handful of players including former West Ham and Aston Villa star Thomas Hitzlsperger have declared they are homosexual – but all have done so in retirement or long after they have left the spotlight of one of the top divisions, in stark contrast to Fashanu’s timing.
There’s no way of knowing how football will react to the next player who chooses to come out as gay. Those within the game hope the sport will show its moved on from Justin’s ultimately tragic era.
