Having spent a lifetime hating herself and struggling with post traumatic stress, her gender identity, self harm and suicide, RAF veteran and former motorbike racer, AFC Bournemouth supporter and former club photographer, Sophie Cook was at breaking point when she transitioned from male to female in 2015.
"The club were amazing, the love and support that I received from everyone helped to give me so much strength, from Jeff Mostyn and Eddie Howe through to the fans and stewards," Sophie says of the experience.
Since that day when she became the first openly transgender person to work in professional football Sophie has gone on to become an experienced TV and radio host and in the 2017 General Election she narrowly missed out on becoming the UK’s first transgender MP.
"Whatever I have done in life since my transition I always remember the club motto 'Together anything is possible', it was true of our rise from League 1 to the Premier League and it was true about how I have overcome prejudice to become the person that I am today."
For the first time ever Sophie tells the full inspirational story of how she conquered her mental health demons and learnt to love herself in her book ‘Not Today: How I chose life’.
The book is now available purchase both in-store and online via the club Superstore website. Click here to shop now.
Sophie will also be on hand to sign copies of the book in the club Superstore ahead of the Premier League game against Huddersfield.
