A Leeds United fan who faced a torrent of abuse on social media has spoken out about her experience.
Katie Watkin, from Leeds, was pictured on Twitter at the Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest game on Sunday. Leeds United lost the game one-nil.
In a photo posted by Sky Sports, which has since been deleted, Katie is shown covering her face with the caption "It's been one of those days for Leeds fans." Since the photo was posted, Katie says she has suffered a "pile on".
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Speaking to LeedsLive , Katie says she knew it would happen but worries about those who don't have the same support networks in place that she does. Katie, 38 , said: "I went to the football with my friends yesterday, we had a really nice time at the away pub.
“I was there to support a charity walk that had happened last year, we went and met up and we had raised about £86k for Andy’s Man Club and The Samaritans. When they put that tweet out there were people saying things like 'fat t***', 'gay', and saying 'look at the state of this'.
"I know for a fact that if I didn't have my friends from the charity, my head would not be in the right place, I am on anti-depressants and had to be in the accessible seats after surgery on my hip, if I hadn't had been sat there, I wouldn't have been seen.
Katie, who is President for HSBC's Pride North Sector and sits on the Leeds United Supporter's Advisory Board grew up in a time when women's voices weren't heard in football like they are today. She said she expected what happened but hopes those who don't have the same support, don't suffer the same.
She said: "It’s less about me and more about everybody else, you have to question people’s sanity if they are doing this. If I wasn’t in a really strong place mentally right now, what would this be like? I didn’t have any football friends before the charity walk, I grew up in the 80s and 90s, when women weren’t seen the same in football.
“For my generation, unless you had a partner who is into football, I remember being called a fishwife for supporting it. I am okay with it, but I couldn’t sleep, this is a very teachable moment for my son."
Katie wants to shout out to those people who are struggling, following her experience on social media. She spoke of Andy's Man Club, a charitable organisation set up to get men to talk, the group has done incredible work for men's mental health.
“If we can highlight Andy’s Man Club that’s what I want, that’s a good thing.” Katie added.
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