GOOD CALL, REF!

Lucy feared that simply being herself would prevent her from refereeing games, but a brave move has brought her peace, new friends and even a world record

- Arthur Renard

Every referee worries about being abused from the stands. But while the majority of officials accept that their on-field decisions will be the cause, Lucy Clark feared her very identity would become the issue.

This was back before 2018, when Lucy was publicly known as Nick - an ex-footballer-turned-referee who'd run the rule over hundreds of nonleague matches during her career.

Lucy had always felt at home walking out onto a pitch - the problem was, she felt trapped inside a man's body.

"I didn't think football would accept me, being transgender," the 51-year-old (below, left] explains to FFT now.