An amateur footballer said there needs to be a "serious collaborative effort" to help make gay players feel more comfortable about coming out.
Matt Morton, player-manager for ninth-tier Thetford Town FC in Norfolk, opened up about his sexuality in 2019.
He said he had "nothing but a positive reaction" despite preparing himself for "abuse from opposing fans or players".
This month marked 30 years since Justin Fashanu became the first professional to talk openly about being gay.
Mr Morton, from Bury St Edmunds, said he realised he was gay in January 2018, at the age of 30.