13/08/2023
LGBTQIA radio station Queerly and top gay men's lifestyle magazine Attitude are both reporting that a mural dedicated to the late footballing hero Justin Fashanu in his home city of Norwich has earned praise, even on the nasty platforms of social media. The mural was commissioned by the Fat Cat and Canary pub’s landlord Christian Hodgkinson. Justin was the first black football player to command a transfer fee of more than one million pounds. He scored forty goals over his years for Norwich City between 1979 and 1981. He became the first professional footballer to come out as gay in 1990, but was attacked even by members of his own family. Sadly, Justin took his own life in 1998, but with time, he has been recognised as the trailblazer and star that he really was. ashanu, celebrated as a local legend, grew up in Norfolk. Norwich City fans, including LGBTQ+ supporters’ group Proud Canaries, have praised the mural. “Fashanu’s mural is terrific and so timely,” Andy Reynolds of Proud Canaries told the BBC. “A kid walking by can see that no matter who you are or love, you can play for the Canaries.” According to Hodgkinson, feedback on the mural has been resoundingly positive. “This is here to stay,” he said.
