Lucy Clark became the first transgender manager in women’s soccer earlier this year. She previously had a career as the first transgender referee.
Pride UK celebrated Clark’s rise on social media. The LGBTQ+ advocacy group’s post received negative comments from J.K. Rowling on X:
“When I was young all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged blokes, so it’s fantastic to see how much things have changed.”
Other Comments On The Appointment
Many others worldwide also criticized Clark’s role in the London and South East Women’s Regional Football League. Australian lawyer Katherine Deves Morgan shared:
“Middle-aged bloke celebrated for cross-dressing on the soccer field. What an easy way to make yourself the centre of attention.”
British politician Jayda Fransen added:
“[Her appointment is] offensive to both men and women. Men up & down the country manage football teams, many are volunteers but they aren’t celebrated because they don’t wear wigs. Since this is another man in a predominantly male role, it’s NOT an unusual achievement, just a man mocking women.”
Lucy Clark’s Reaction To The Hate
Rowling, Morgan, Fransen, and other critics’ tweets received backlash from football fans. Meanwhile, Lucy Clark responded in a separate post:
“Another day of hate fuelled transphobia against me… but hey guess what I am living my best life. Wake up every day with my beautiful family around me. Every day I laugh and have things to look forward too. Who’s winning at life… the one who’s happy and smiling or those hating?”
She went on:
“So J.K., Posie, Glinner and the rest of you out there hating on my community and myself guess what IDGAF… you keep hating and I will keep on smiling and living my best life. Maybe you should all give it a try eh.”
Sutton United is the eighth tier in the London and South East Women’s Regional Football League. Being their manager was ‘kind of a dream come true’ for Clark, according to BBC.
When I was young all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged blokes, so it's fantastic to see how much things have changed. https://t.co/jx9zp0hRyU
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 11, 2024
So JK, Posie, Glinner and the rest of you out there hating on my community and myself guess what IDGAF…you keep hating and I will keep on smiling and living my best life. Maybe you should all give it a try eh
— Lucy Clark. (@lucyclarkref) May 11, 2024
Middle-aged bloke celebrated for cross-dressing on the soccer field
What an easy way to make yourself the centre of attention https://t.co/hdYUnkml3B
— Katherine Deves Morgan 🇦🇺🚺 (@deves_katherine) May 12, 2024
Why this is offensive to men & women:
Men up & down the country manage football teams, many are volunteers but they aren’t celebrated because they don’t wear wigs.
Since this is another man in a predominantly male role, it’s NOT an unusual achievement, just a man mocking women. https://t.co/wdt0htwWjc
— Jayda Fransen (@JaydaBF) May 12, 2024
