Out manager who led club to promotion says being gay in football not a ‘no-no’

Out gay manager Luke Tuffs (Image: Instagram/ashfordtownmx)

Luke Tuffs, the gay manager who led Ashford Town to the Counties Premier Division North title and a return to English football’s eighth tier, says being gay is no longer a “no-no” in football.

Ashford won the championship. On the final day of the season, more than 300 fans gathered at the club’s Robert Parker Stadium to celebrate victory and lift the trophy. The club had been relegated a year earlier, but returned to the championship in their first attempt.

Mr. Tuffs looks back on his achievements in the new work. Football vs. Homophobia Podcast Episode“We’re straight back as champions. We’ve got a little bit of momentum and the club is back on the map, which is great.”

Tuffs came out as gay as a teenager while playing at the same semi-pro level. He came out to his teammates when he was 16 and they supported him.

According to reports, the soccer coach also said he wants to be open about his sexuality while remaining focused on the sport. out sports.

“I’ve been pretty transparent because I want to help other people, young people of course, and people of all ages,” he said. “But I think it’s gotten to the point in the last few years where it’s almost taken over. It’s become a bit of a circus in some ways.”

Attention level in the men’s soccer world

Public representation of LGBTQ+ men is still rare in men’s soccer, with visibility often concentrated among a few players and advocates. Football v Homophobia is a long-running initiative and platform in the UK that campaigns against homophobia and transphobia in football and supports inclusion.

“As I always say, does it come from love or does it come from hate? And if it comes from hate, then yeah, it gets eliminated,” Tuffs said of when backstage comments cross the line.

He added: “The progress is that now everyone can be themselves for the most part in their dressing room and in front of their friends.

“I think that’s really important. When we were kids, it was a big no-no to tell your peers that you were gay.

“But now we have players from the academy who have lived their lives, which is great.”

Title win and quick comeback

Ashford marked the achievement on social media. With the title win, Ashford completed a rapid recovery from last season’s relegation and returned the club to the Eighth Division.

Tuffs is in charge of Ashford for the second time, making his first appointment as a first-team coach at the age of 29.

During the 2025/26 season, Tuffs and his partner Reece became foster parents. “We’re so lucky to have two great kids. They mean the world,” he said of the support he felt around the club.

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