After Lucy Clark’s historic appointment as manager, she hopes that football can become a safe place for transgender women.
Speaking to City News, Lucy Clark reflected on how her transition would affect her position in football. She took on this role of manager after being the first transgender referee in football.
“I didn’t think the football world would accept me. But there’s no point saying the football world isn’t going to accept me if I don’t try and see if they will”.
Ms Clark said that “it’s good for our community to see that just because you’re trans, life doesn’t stop and you can still live your dreams”.
Adversity
Although Ms Clark received “a lot of positivity”, she also received “a lot of hate from people who have their own assumptions about trans people”.
She told City News about her experience refereeing a Cup Semi-final where she says she received abuse from the players.
“They knew who I was and targeted me with transphobic abuse from the second I arrived to the second I went. The club did get a fine but they didn’t really get the book thrown at them as I feel they should have done”.
City News has contacted the London FA for comment, but have not received a reply.
Ms Clark urged people to “let us live our lives”. She told City News that “there’s a lot more threats to society than trans people”.
Learning from Women’s football
As the “women’s game is growing”, Ms Clark said she hoped that the men’s leagues would follow in their footsteps.
“The men’s games is still stuck in the 1800s. It needs to catch up, look at how inclusive the women’s game is doing and worry more about how good a footballer is and not what their sexual orientation is. That’s irrelevant on the pitch”.
Ultimately, to Ms Clark, “there should be no barriers for people playing sport, especially grassroots sport”.
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HeadlineFirst transgender manager: ‘There is no place for discrimination in football’
Short Headline First trans manager: 'no place for discrimination in football'
StandfirstLucy Clark advocates for trans women's place in football after being appointed manager of Sutton United Women's team.
After Lucy Clark’s historic appointment as manager, she hopes that football can become a safe place for transgender women.
Speaking to City News, Lucy Clark reflected on how her transition would affect her position in football. She took on this role of manager after being the first transgender referee in football.
“I didn’t think the football world would accept me. But there’s no point saying the football world isn’t going to accept me if I don’t try and see if they will”.
Ms Clark said that “it’s good for our community to see that just because you’re trans, life doesn’t stop and you can still live your dreams”.
Adversity
Although Ms Clark received “a lot of positivity”, she also received “a lot of hate from people who have their own assumptions about trans people”.
She told City News about her experience refereeing a Cup Semi-final where she says she received abuse from the players.
“They knew who I was and targeted me with transphobic abuse from the second I arrived to the second I went. The club did get a fine but they didn’t really get the book thrown at them as I feel they should have done”.
City News has contacted the London FA for comment, but have not received a reply.
Ms Clark urged people to “let us live our lives”. She told City News that “there’s a lot more threats to society than trans people”.
Learning from Women’s football
As the “women’s game is growing”, Ms Clark said she hoped that the men’s leagues would follow in their footsteps.
“The men’s games is still stuck in the 1800s. It needs to catch up, look at how inclusive the women’s game is doing and worry more about how good a footballer is and not what their sexual orientation is. That’s irrelevant on the pitch”.
Ultimately, to Ms Clark, “there should be no barriers for people playing sport, especially grassroots sport”.
