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First ever transgender football referee set to quit over lack of matches

First ever transgender football referee set to quit over lack of matches

"Maybe it's time to hang up the whistle and concentrate on golf."

Football's first ever transgender referee is considering quitting the sport.

Lucy Clark says she isn't getting any matches to officiate this season, hence why she wants to call it a day.

Back in 2018, Clark made history when she became English football's first ever transgender referee 

After transitioning, work was still coming in thick and fast, Clark revealing to the FA that she officiated 'around 50 games since my news broke'.

But unfortunately for Clark, for whatever reason, she has only been given one match to officiate this season.

Her lack of game time now means she is thinking of retiring.

"Possibly a knee jerk reaction, but I am considering giving up refereeing at the level I have been doing," Clark tweeted.

"I have had only one match all season and have nothing in the diary.

"I see other officials have three or four games.

"Maybe it's time to hang up the whistle and concentrate on golf."

Twitter/lucyclarkref

It's understood Clark no longer officiates men's matches and only referees games in the Women's National League.

She added: "I gave up refereeing men's football a few years ago.

"I could drop down a level or two, but don't think I would enjoy it as much as I was looking up, not down."

But her decision to hang up the boots didn't go down well with the players themselves.

A bunch of AFC Wimbledon stars threw their support behind Clark, urging her not to retire.

Megan Stow commented: "Deffo a knee jerk. We love you Lucy."

Becki Bath added: "Best ref in our league by far. Don't give up."

While Glyn Roberts said: "Please don't. You're one of the better refs at that level if not the best."

Late last year, police launched an investigation into an attack on Clark where she was reportedly forced to flee the pitch after a coach and fan allegedly hurled transphobic abuse at her.

"It felt like an orchestrated attack. I was suicidal," Clark said at the time.

"Football’s always been my safe space. It saved my life when I struggled with hiding who I was for years, and suddenly it no longer felt safe for me."

She added: "It hasn’t even been recorded as transphobic abuse.

"I’ve paid for rounds of drinks that cost more than those fines."

The fines for the incident were 80 pounds.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/lucyclarkref

Topics: Australia, Football, Womens Football