Talk Of The Town

Former Shoreham Labour candidate Sophie Cook discussesbeing the first transgender person to work in the Premier League,transitioning and her vision for Sussex.

- Keeley Bolger

When it comes to breaking down barriers, Sussex based politician and broadcaster Sophie Cook is an old hand.

Back in 2015, she became the first transperson to work in the Premier League in her capacity as club photographer at the newly promoted Bournemouth FC.

Initially anxious about coming out, the news was punctuated with a hearty round of applause from the players, while manager Eddie Howe later presented Sophie with a shirt bearing her name on it. No sooner was the news delivered, than the team got on with playing football.

The acceptance was in heartening contrast to the 51-year-old’s first attempt at transitioning in 2000. “The world was a very, very different place then,” recalls Sophie who lives in Lancing in a flat overlooking the sea. “There was abuse and prejudice wherever I went. When I came out in 2015, it felt like a lot of things had moved on and they had. The fact that I was able to carry on working in the Premier League as a trans woman surprised me as much as anyone.”

Sophie’s story caught the attention of Match Of The Day who featured her on the programme, prompting presenter Gabby Logan to tweet: “I am Sophie” in support. It was a flagship moment for the beautiful game and for Sophie, another in a life peppered with such remarkable moments.

Indeed, a glance at her dizzying CV gives a tantalising glimpse at the lives she’s led. “I was a Mod. I joined the [Royal] Air Force at 16. I saved someone’s life following an explosion at 18 and then had post-traumatic stress following that.”