Dear all,

Many thanks to those of you who contributed to my earlier survey on this topic. As a result of this, I have moved to a second survey that has three follow-up questions, so it should not take you very long at all to complete (5 minutes):

https://doit.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_899Zz8SgZA8MFmJ

As always, I appreciate your time and thoughts.

 I am currently reading Graeme Le Saux's autobiography. He devotes the first chapter to having to cope with homophobic slurs and chants. He makes some powerful points about homophobia in football and concludes by saying he would not advise any gay footballer to come out during his playing career, because of the level of abuse.

Le Saux was not gay but once went to Norway with teammate Ken Monkou, and the rumours escalated from there. The culmination was the notorious incident with Robbie Fowler, when the ref and his assistant to no action against his overt  homophobic taunting, and Le Saux whacked him off the ball.

I think the book was written in 2007. 

1 hour ago, Backbiter said:

 I am currently reading Graeme Le Saux's autobiography. He devotes the first chapter to having to cope with homophobic slurs and chants. He makes some powerful points about homophobia in football and concludes by saying he would not advise any gay footballer to come out during his playing career, because of the level of abuse.

Le Saux was not gay but once went to Norway with teammate Ken Monkou, and the rumours escalated from there. The culmination was the notorious incident with Robbie Fowler, when the ref and his assistant to no action against his overt  homophobic taunting, and Le Saux whacked him off the ball.

I think the book was written in 2007. 

I remember the game where Le Saux was taunted by Fowler. Disgraceful behaviour by Fowler. I didn't know about Le Saux and Monkou going to Norway together but no problem if they did. Two blokes going away together as if that was the first time it ever happened.

From what I recall Le Saux was taunted due to what he read and his interests. If I recall correctly he collected antiques. Footballers are like the rest of us: we all have different views and interests. Would be boring if we were all the same.

1 hour ago, Boyne said:

I remember the game where Le Saux was taunted by Fowler. Disgraceful behaviour by Fowler. I didn't know about Le Saux and Monkou going to Norway together but no problem if they did. Two blokes going away together as if that was the first time it ever happened.

From what I recall Le Saux was taunted due to what he read and his interests. If I recall correctly he collected antiques. Footballers are like the rest of us: we all have different views and interests. Would be boring if we were all the same.

Nor did I. They went to Norway to stay with Erland Johnsen and did some football coaching. Nothing weird at all, but the Chelsea dressing room (Graham Roberts, Peter Nicholas got a mention) apparently decided there was. Add in the fact he read the Guardian rather than the Sun, and they decided he must be gay. Apparently Gwyn Williams used to call him a poof, too.

Many thanks to those who have completed the survey. It is still live if anyone has a spare few minutes.