Fran Kirby: Young players 'not shocked' by star's body image comments

After Fran Kirby opened up over receiving negative body image comments, it was an experience which felt familiar to grassroots footballers Daisy Clements and Charlotte Wilkie when they were growing up.

The Chelsea midfielder told BBC Sport about one description of her performance after a game, which said: "'Fran played really well, what a game, but she looked big today'".

"I had countless comments about having big thighs and how strong my legs look," Daisy, 21, tells BBC Newsbeat.

"When you're that young, you do start to worry. I thought I don't want to wear leggings because then everyone can see the shape of my legs."

For 21-year-old Charlotte, comments about her body didn't put her off playing football, "but it definitely made me a lot more conscious of what I ate".

"It's quite a common thing around girls' football. It's definitely not a shock to hear what she [Fran] said."

Daisy, who plays for Stourbridge FC in Birmingham, feels there has always been a perception that a female footballer needs to look a certain way.

"But what they look like does not affect their ability to be a good footballer."

She thinks there's a deeper issue around the comparison of males and females in sport.

"I went to a school where girls weren't allowed to play football. It was specifically the boys do football, the girls do netball," she says.

Charlotte, who played for Birmingham City's development teams throughout her childhood, thinks there's a perception about "an ideal type of athlete".

"And how they look, but obviously women's bodies are very different.

"I don't think it's ever going to be the same as that. There's always different types, shapes and sizes in women's football."

As Chelsea's record goal-scorer, Kirby explains she now has "no fear" raising these issues because she's an experienced international.

"I have been around long enough to suffer my own abuse growing up and seeing it on social media - you don't become accustomed to it, though, and there's still things you read."

She has received messages from other players raising concerns for their team-mates, who they believe are struggling with body image issues.

And while "there is not one answer" on how to deal with it as "everyone is different", she does feel support is important.

Daisy feels having "a support circle" can helpful.

"There are a lot of people who struggle in football, a lot of people who say there's not enough support."

"The way that will get better is by people talking and speaking up and saying how the game could be improved, how the support could be improved."

Charlotte says turning to those closest to you can be an option.

"For months when I was struggling with it, I don't think I spoke to coaches for about three or four months into the season.

"Your coach is going to care when you come up to them and speak to them about it," Charlotte says.

"Speak to people, especially friends, they're all going to be there for you."

If you've been affected by the issues in this article, you can visit BBC Action Line for help and support.

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