Casey Stoney feared her England football career was over and was terrified coming out would make her the target for open hostility.
Britain's highest-profile gay footballer need not have worried on either score.
Today she is thrilled to find herself receiving letters from those who consider her a taboo-breaking inspiration, and the international shelf life she feared had expired could take in a third World Cup campaign this summer.
Stoney, 33 next month, should learn two days before her May 13 birthday whether she has got the nod for Canada 2015 from England head coach Mark Sampson.
Recently picked in the PFA team of the year, she looks a strong bet for the 23-woman England squad, albeit for a role on the fringe of the team she once captained.
In her personal life, Stoney could not be happier. Her partner, former Lincoln Ladies player Megan Harris, gave birth to twins Teddy and Tilly last November and the family are settled into life in Harlow.
Harris is the stay-at-home mum, Stoney the mum that goes out to play for Arsenal Ladies and England Women, concurrently juggling an increasing number of ambassadorial roles.
She is more in demand off the pitch than ever before, multiple corporations considering her the perfect role model.
Stoney spoke publicly about being gay for the first time in February 2014, and while she had two years previously been chosen in a newspaper's 'Pink List', making a more formal announcement tested her nerve.
"When I was initially asked to do a piece, I sat down with my family and my partner and I have to be honest, I was absolutely petrified," Stoney told Press Association Sport.
"I didn't know what the response would be. I thought it would be negative and it was completely the opposite: it was overwhelmingly positive.
"Yes I've had a few negatives, and yes I've had a few things sent that were not very nice through the post, but I've got to say that's a rarity. It's been 98-99 per cent positive.
"And the fact that people have reached out and said how much it's been supportive to them and helped them, that was all it was about really, to make sure other people didn't feel isolated and lost like I did when I was growing up."
Religious texts have arrived through the post, decrying gay lifestyles, but Stoney has developed thick skin.
She lost the England captaincy to Steph Houghton when Sampson took charge at the end of 2013, and felt her grip on a squad place was also slipping.
"I thought once Mark came in and I barely played that my international career was over - not by my choice - but I still feel I'm good enough and fit enough, and I'm doing my best to prove I'm still capable," Stoney said.
"I'm still fighting, I'm still trying and I'm still around. It's up to the manager to make his decisions and you have to respect his opinions."
Stoney takes son Teddy and daughter Tilly as her driving force.
"I want to make them proud, and I go out every day with that motivation now," she said. "I've always been a hard worker with regard to my game but I just want to keep proving myself, I want to make sure they can see Mummy play at the highest level.
"I will contribute in the most positive way I can, whether on the pitch or off it. I want this team to go out there and do well."
:: England and Arsenal Ladies footballer Casey Stoney is launching the search for McDonald's Football Mum of the Year. The award will recognise hard-working, regular 'football mums' across the UK. Nominations for the awards are now open www.mcdonalds.co.uk/mumoftheyear
Source: PA
