After years of claiming he would never attend a football match, he made an appearance at the Vitality Stadium for the Cherries’ Premier League clash against Brighton and Hove Albion.
With his friend, Sky Sports presenter Mark McAdam, showing him the ropes and explaining the game, Wan quickly got to grips with the football atmosphere, and could be heard chanting and cheering along with the home fans.
Wan explained his avoidance of sports began at school, where he felt he did not fit in with the crowds.
Watch. Smile. Laugh. Love. Enjoy!
Just be kind. To everyone.
I took @therealgokwan to football for @SkySportsNews ! His first ever football match, and this is how it went… pic.twitter.com/JzfUtxupHk
— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) December 4, 2024
He said: “I always loved sports, but I always hated doing sports at school because I used to get bullied and picked on.
“You hear so many awful things about the homophobia around sport and I guess when I see crowds of people and chanting, it’s quite tribalistic, and I find it quite scary to be honest.”
(Image: Richard Crease) Wan is publicly open about being a part of the LGBT community, and at half time, he had the opportunity to meet Proud Cherries, a group of LGBT Bournemouth fans.
They had a conversation about how important it is to have an LGBT organisation within the football club, with the group giving Wan a rainbow scarf to wear for the second half.
He said on that: “That visibility I think is massively important. I was wearing that scarf up in the stands and I felt very proud of wearing that.
“And do you know what? Not a single person batted an eyelid. They weren’t looking at me, they were looking at the players.”
By the end of the match, it was safe to say he had been revolutionised to the idea of attending football matches, and appeared to have enjoyed himself, even being presented with a personalised ‘Gok 1’ Bournemouth shirt by player Lewis Cook.
(Image: Richard Crease) Commenting on his experience, he said: “I have had such a great day. The camaraderie, the community spirit, everyone just up and excited.
“What an incredible day and what an incredible club.”
He also referenced the club’s dedication to making the game more inclusive for the LGBT community.
“It was amazing talking to the Premier League footballers after the game.
“One day we will have just a completely inclusive sport throughout, across the board, not just football.”
He finished by revealing: “I 100 per cent know that I will become, probably, a proper football supporter.”