Author JK Rowling has been accused of cruelty for mocking the world’s first openly transgender football manager, comparing her to a ‘straight, white, middle-aged bloke’.

The Harry Potter novelist replied to a post on X, formerly Twitter, from LGBTQ+ charity Pride, championing Lucy Clark.

The transgender referee is the first trans manager in the top five divisions of English Women’s football.

In the post, JK Rowling said: When I was young all the football managers were straight, white, midd aged blokes, so it’s fantastic to see how much things have changed.’ 

Social media users were quick to blast the author calling the author’s post ‘cruel’.

JK Rowling took to X to blast the football manager, comparing her to a ‘straight, white, middle-aged bloke’

Lucy Clark, 51, became the first trans manager in the top five divisions of English Women’s football when she took on the role at Sutton United in January, 2024

Pride posted a photo of the referee with her famous pink whistle and a red card with her dark brown hair falling waves around her shoulders.

They captioned the image: ‘Lucy Clark, the world’s first openly transgender referee, has made history by becoming the first trans manager in the top 5 divisions of English women’s football. The former referee has taken over at Sutton United. FABULOUS!’

But the author was quick to mock the football fan and seemingly encouraged social media users to criticise the manager by comparing her to a ‘bloke’.

Despite her ‘cruel’ quip, fans of Clark were quick to defend her.

Caroline Litman said: I’ve not met Lucy but my husband knows her wife.

‘Lucy is a real person with a family, and a life to live. Bills to pay.

‘What harm does her role as a football manager cause you?

The Harry Potter author has been an outspoken critic of gender self-identification

The author with the young cast of Harry potter at the premier for Harry potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Clark acting as a referee during a match between Chivas Cosmos and Regal Rebels

‘The team love her. Her wife and child love her.

Your decision to pile on her is simply cruel.’ 

Sutton United appointed the former referee as the new manager of their women’s team, in January.

Clark, a lifelong Sutton fan, previously became the first transgender referee in football, having officiated as high as the third tier of the women’s game, but the 51-year-old was keen to embark on a new challenge in the dugout.

Having formerly coached non-league men’s teams in Essex, Clark is no stranger to management and has been appointed with the hope of steering Sutton clear of relegation in the London & South Regional Women’s Premier Division. 

‘Proud and honoured to be given the opportunity to manage such a fantastic club. Hard work starts now,’ Clark posted on X after the appointment was confirmed at the start of the year.

Sutton United have struggled this season having only won two of their last six games and are in the relegation zone alogn with Forest Green Rovers, placing 23rd out of 24 in League Two