A host of pundits, former footballers and clubs have come to the support of a teenage girl who was subjected to a barrage of vile abuse after signing her first professional contract.
It should have been one of the happiest days of Skye Stout’s life when she signed for Scottish side Kilmarnock on Thursday, with the club announcing the news on their official social media pages.
But just hours after sharing the first pictures of Skye in the blue-and-white kit, Kilmarnock decided to take down the post after a host of trolls flocked to the comments section to mock the young footballer over her facial acne.
The shocking wave of abuse has however prompted a number of stars from not only the world of football, but also the entirety of sport, to rally around Skye today.
Football organisation Team Grassroots were one of the first to take to X, formerly known as Twitter, to show their support.
‘Yesterday, the official page of the Scottish club Kilmarnock women’s team announced that the club had signed a contract with 16-year-old midfielder Skye Stout,’ they wrote.
It should have been one of the happiest days of young Skye Stout’s life when she signed her first professional contract at Kilmarnock Women on Thursday
‘A grassroots player signing her first pro contract, should have been a moment to cherish for her, however Skye was forced to endure ridicule from ignorant and disrespectful fans who began to humiliate her over her facial acne.
‘Things escalated to the point where the club decided to delete all posts mentioning Skye Stout in an effort to stop the bullying from haters.’
Underneath the post, a host of journalists, former players and well-wishing sports fans came together to uplift Skye.
Jamie Carragher wrote: ‘Good luck Skye.’
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen added: ‘BE THE BEST, Skye! Go get it!!!’
‘Sending our support to Skye, good luck for the new season and an exciting first year in senior football,’ Exeter City Women’s official account posted.
Former Scottish First Minister Hamza Yusef also voiced his support, dubbing the trolls ‘sad’ and ‘pathetic’.
He posted: ‘Skye Stout has just signed for Kilmarnock, at 16 she has already achieved more than her trolls ever will.
‘Imagine being a grown man abusing a 16-year-old? What a sad, pathetic, unhappy life these trolls have.
A host of figures from the world of sport and beyond took to X to show their support for the young footballer
‘Well done Skye, many more good people are rooting for your success!’
While a host of well-wishing fans also got behind the young midfielder, writing: ‘Disgusting accounts that wouldn’t say boo to a goose in person. Good luck Skye, all the best for the upcoming season!’,
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‘Literally what’s wrong with people??? Makes me so angry and sad at the same time!
‘Hold your head high girl. You. ARE. Beautiful. And apparently a helluva footballer.’,
‘Best of luck Skye! Easier said than done, but please don’t let the haters ger you down, it’s a reflection of their character & not yours, go smash it!’
Elsewhere, a number of prominent figures in the world of media also took to X to show their support.
Football commentator Adam Summerton wrote: ‘I hope Sky Stout of @KilmarnockWFC has an amazing first season as a senior player – what an achievement for a young person.
‘Someone doing something productive, worthwhile. and perhaps even inspiring to others, good luck to her.’
Journalist Adam Smith simply added: ‘Good luck Skye.’