Justin Fashanu: A Tragic Moonshine
Born Justin Soni Fashanu on February 19, 1961, in East London, to Pearl Lawrence, a British-Guyanese nurse, and Patrick Fashanu, a Nigerian barrister, Justin’s early life was marked by turmoil. After his parents’ marriage fell apart, he and his brother John Fashanu were placed in Thomas Barnardo’s orphanage before being adopted by a family in Shropham, Norfolk.
Justin began his football career at Norwich City at the age of 16, where he quickly rose to prominence as a striker. In the 1979/1980 season, he gained widespread attention after winning BBC’s ‘Goal of the Season’ award for a stunning strike against Liverpool. His talent led to a record-breaking £1 million transfer to Nottingham Forest in 1980, making him the first black footballer to command such a fee.
However, his career took a downward turn at Nottingham. He struggled on the field, and his relationship with manager Brian Clough deteriorated, particularly after Clough learned about Justin’s sexual orientation. Amid the growing controversies surrounding his sexuality, Fashanu was eventually released from Nottingham Forest.
In 1982, Fashanu appeared in a BBC documentary in Nigeria, seeking to reconnect with his father, who had disapproved of his son’s sexuality. Afterward, he played for various European clubs on short-term contracts.
Fashanu made headlines again on October 22, 1990, when he publicly came out as gay in The Sun, becoming the first prominent footballer to do so. His revelation led to more controversies and struggles, both within football and in the press. His football career dwindled, and in 1997, he moved to the United States, where he played for Maryland Mania FC.
In March 1998, Fashanu was accused of sexual assault in Maryland. Although he denied the allegations, fearing arrest and public backlash, he fled to the UK. After days of hiding and struggling with his internal battles, Justin’s body was found hanging in a garage in Hackney, London, on May 2, 1998. His suicide note revealed his despair over his sexuality, religious struggles, and the immense pressure he faced as a black gay footballer. He was 37 years old.
