In a time of trans athletes being banned from sports, TRUK United FC came to provide a space of hope and inclusion, while also making world history.
In January 2021, TRUK United FC was founded by the world’s first transgender referee, Lucy Clark. After getting messages from many trans folks telling her that they wished they could play football but felt that they could not, Clark made the club with the aim of “connecting the community”.
On September 26, 2021, TRUK had its first match against Friends Fighting Cancer in Leatherhead. TRUK lost 3-6, although they still made a win for the trans community.
Introducing, Miss TRUK United FC @lucyclarkref, Founder of all things TRUK, player, manager, organiser & the driving force behind everything we do. Without Lucy there would be no TRUK United FC.
All her life she has been in football one way or another.
1/ pic.twitter.com/b1aLdsoVxd— TRUK United FC. (@Trukunitedfc) April 2, 2023
On March 31, 2022, Trans Visibility Day, TRUK United FC made history by fielding a team made up entirely of trans women, who played against the Dulwich Hamlet FC’s women’s team at Champion Hill.
The following year, on March 21, 2023, the TRUK United FC transmasculine team played against the Dulwich Hamlet FC Supporters Team. This match again took place at Champion Hill in London with over 500 supporters watching and celebrating in the stands. The match ended 8-1 to Dulwich Hamlet FC Supporters Team.
The players of the team came from all over the UK. A notable member was Emmerdale actor Ash Palmisciano, the first transgender character in the show.
The skill level varied from semi-pro to people who had not played the sport since they were in school. One person on the Dulwich Hamlet FC Supporters Team said that he has played against a team so cohesively put together.
One of TRUK United’s most recent matches was on Trans Day of Visisbility 2024, when their femme team faced off against their masc and non-binary team.
Teams like this are important now, especially at a time when trans people’s access to sports is being taken away. Find out more about TRUK United FC on Instgram here.
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