Football Sexual Abuse- Clubs Implicated
A summary of some of the major football clubs are listed below. The information is from the major press and BBC website and thus any information on this blog is from external sources and information is to be treated as allegations only.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club
- They have opened an investigation into allegations of historic sexual abuse at the club. Six people have come forward to speak to Cheshire Police after former player Andy Woodward spoke about abuse he suffered at the hands of a former coach and scout. Now the League Two club, previously criticised for a lack of a response, say they will look into the claims. Woodward, 43, says he was abused by Barry Bennell while at Crewe from the age of 11 to 15.
In a statement on Crewe’s website, chairman John Bowler, 79, said he appreciated the concerns about the club’s delay in making comment, he said that “when things come out of the blue like this, you first want to make inquiries and reflect from within, That is the process we started last week”.
- You can find more information on Crewe FC Child Football Abuse- BBC News
Manchester City Football Club
- Paul Stewart, an ex Manchester United player recently had his story published. He alleged that he was targeted by his coach between the ages of 11-15. He brought out his story in the hope that more victims will come forward.
- Paul claims he was assaulted every day for four years and that his tormentor got away with it because he threatened to kill his relatives if he ever told anyone.
- The Daily Mail posted thatManchester City Football Club have launched an investigation into links between Barry Bannell and the club. Mr Bannell coached junior teams connected to Manchester City FC.
- On Thursday 1st December 2016, a City spokesperson said: ‘The club is aware of allegations that Barry Bennell had an association with Manchester City Football Club in the 1980s. As a result the club is currently undertaking a thorough investigation of any past links he might have had with the organisation‘.
- Once the information is stronger and the extent of Bennell’s connection is confirmed, Manchester City have said they will be reaching out to victims with support and counselling if it is required.
Blackpool Football Club
- Blackpool FC are one of the more recent clubs to be engulfed by allegations of child sexual abuse within the sport.
Blackpool FC issued the following statement in response to Mr Taylor’s interview. A Blackpool FC spokesman said that “the club is yet to receive any information from the PFA or relevant authorities in relation to the ongoing investigations of historic abuse. Should any past links with the organisation come to light, the club will provide every assistance it possibly can”.
- The internal review that the FA are currently undertaking will look into what information they were aware of at the relevant times around the issues that have been raised in the press, what clubs were aware of, and what action was or should have been taken.
- You can find more information on Blackpool FC Child Football Abuse– The Guardian
Leeds Football Club
- Gordon Taylor who is the Chef Executive of the Football Association has revealed the number of players making allegations of child sexual abuse in football is now more than 20, and he has alleged that Leeds United is on the list of clubs connected to the claims.
- David White who is a former Leeds United player is amongst the victims of this child abuse scandal.
- The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) said it was “watching events closely” and opened the door to examining allegations in the growing scandal as England captain Wayne Rooney urged anyone who may have been assaulted to seek help.
- You can find more information on Leeds United FC Child Football Abuse– ITV News
Chelsea Football Club
- Chelsea Football Club has apologised to former footballer Gary Johnson over sex abuse he suffered as a youth team member in the 1970s.
- Mr Johnson was one of the victims who says he was paid £50,000 to keep quiet about his story. He was a member of Chelsea’s first team from 1978 to 1981.
- Chelsea became the first club to admit sexual abuse took place. They recently expressed in a statement that “everyone at Chelase football club has been shocked by news of historical child abuse across British football and our heart goes out to all the victims”.
- You can find more information on Chelsea FC Football Child Abuse– BBC News
Newcastle Football Club
- Derek Bell, a former Newcastle FC player recently spoke out for the first time about being sexually abused in the late 1970s. He alleges that George Ormond who was his coach at the time abused him. Bell was groomed and violated between the ages of 12 and 16 by Ormond, his coach at the well‑respected Montagu and North Fenham boys football club.
- The abuse that Bell went through has had a serious impact om his life. He recently said in an interview that he has “done things I am thoroughly ashamed of, and I am not saying it as an excuse, but there was a rationale, a reason behind it: that I could not cope with daily life, with the abuse I suffered. And I didn’t talk to anybody about it, because I felt I couldn’t.”
- It is believed that the compensation for these claims could have huge payouts. Victims could use this money for psychiatric treatment and we do need to consider loss of earnings, because it’s not just looking towards the past but also looking forward.
- You can find more information on Newcastle FC Child Football Abuse and Derek Bells story- BBC News
Stoke City Football Club
- Barry Bennell also had links with Stoke City, whose chairman Peter Coates described the current scandal as “shocking and distressing”.
- Many of the former players who were affected by this abuse want the Football Association to be held accountable for failing in their duty of care.
- Andy Woodward told The Daily Telegraph “this is about looking after us ex-players now, making sure we get the treatment or the help that we need and about moving forward on how we can put things in place so this kind of thing never happens again”.