'Coming out as bisexual helped my football career'

Jahmal Howlett-Mundle says he feels "safe" at Sevenoaks, where he is captain

Sevenoaks Town FC captain Jahmal Howlett-Mundle says coming out as bisexual to his teammates has helped him excel in his playing career.

Four years ago, he revealed his sexuality to his teammates in a Facebook video while playing for Sheppey United FC and said he had enjoyed his "best time ever" on the pitch since.

He is now calling on football clubs across the country to "give a sign or symbol" to encourage more players to come out.

"Some clubs have showed support, many clubs haven't, whether that is issuing a statement or showing support in pride month for example," he said. "It's about showing people they are welcome."

A video sharing his sexuality with his teammates received thousands of comments of support across the world back in 2021

Howlett-Mundle said that at the time he had been concerned about his teammates' reactions, but they had been "positive and supportive".

He added that "once I started speaking, I just felt free".

Howlett-Mundle said he felt "safe" playing the following season and the team had won four trophies.

Marcel Nimani, who was the assistant manager at Sheppey United at the time and is now manager at Sevenoaks, said he had seen "restrictions" in the footballer's personality before he came out but "since that day you can see he's been liberated and gone on to greater things since then".

Howlett-Mundle said he had suffered homophobic abuse in a game in 2022 and admitted "as much as it does hurt still, I've allowed myself to go through that and be vulnerable when I need to".

Earlier this year, he was recognised with an LGBTQIA+ award for his advocacy and efforts challenging homophobia in football at the Football Black List Awards.

"I've got so many happy memories of that time when I came out, it feels great, it really does," he added.