Football alleged abuse

[poo at Paul's]

What does anyone make of this story that is making meteoric traction the last few days?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38107910

It all seems to be ex or retired players so far, but will a current "star" announce he was abused?

Why has it come out so rapidly after all this time?

Also, can a mod correct Alleged in title, (no d please)

Edited by poo at Paul's on Friday 25th November 19:11

[FredericRobinson]

It's not a new story in many ways, the coach at Crewe was jailed 20 years ago, but shamefully both Crewe Alex and the FA seemed to hope that if they said nothing it'd go away.
Andy Woodward has had the courage to speak out now, and this had led others to come forward.

[Derek Smith]

The mods should delete alleged rather than just correct the spelling.

This is historical for the offenders but current for many of the victims.

I was safeguarding officer for my rugby club. The offender mentioned was one of those used as an aid to instruction. The response was that this was in the past, and the retort was, 'How do you know?'

It still goes on I think. These people will find a way. I spoke with any number of Safeguarding officers from clubs in my area (Sussex) and all treated the threat of abuse very seriously indeed.

[316Mining]

It's very brave of these men to come forward now, it must be terrible for them. I can't understand how they never found the strength to come forward before now though. I know shame probably played a very large part in this, but surely once an adult they could have raised this before, if nothing more than to safe guard other youngsters still being exploited?

Why now?

It can't have been that daunting and frightening to come forward when they were in their twenties or thirties could it?

It's not as if these abusers were top people in football or anything. They were low position people.

[FredericRobinson]

316Mining said:

It can't have been that daunting and frightening to come forward when they were in their twenties or thirties could it?

That it's taken those who have come forward so long, and the actual number is so low (6 I think?) I'd say it must be very daunting and frightening

[jogger1976]

316Mining said:

It's very brave of these men to come forward now, it must be terrible for them. I can't understand how they never found the strength to come forward before now though. I know shame probably played a very large part in this, but surely once an adult they could have raised this before, if nothing more than to safe guard other youngsters still being exploited?

Why now?

It can't have been that daunting and frightening to come forward when they were in their twenties or thirties could it?

It's not as if these abusers were top people in football or anything. They were low position people.

Just to give you an idea of how daunting it was for these blokes, one of them was travelling down to London for the Victoria Derbyshire interview. The train stopped in MK and the poor guy had a panic attack on the platform as he realised that his abuser lived nearby.
I have the utmost respect and admiration for victims of abuse who come forward to testify against their abuser.I imagine it takes a level of courage most of us would struggle to comprehend.
Sadly it seems that it's often easier to blame the victim

[316Mining]

FredericRobinson said:

That it's taken those who have come forward so long, and the actual number is so low (6 I think?) I'd say it must be very daunting and frightening

I don't think we have any idea yet on the numbers of abused, do you?

I can se this snowballing. For every footballer that had a career in football there are tens of thousands of lads who didn't make it to professional football. Some maybe even could have been pro footballers but were so traumatised by this that they stopped playing..... Who knows?

Just seems odd to see men in their 50s finally deciding to come forward.

[anonymous-user]

Often one victim speaks out and others come forward.

I wonder if the same standards of cynicism present on here will be applied to these male victims with the historic mattes they've reported. Compo, lies, 'crying rape', CPS out to get the suspects etc.

[Oakey]

Standard PH response:

They're after compo

They're lying

Probably changed their mind afterwards

/sarcasm

[FredericRobinson]

No, it's clear that Barry Bennell for one abused many more than have come forward.

Since I posted about Crewe's lack of action this has appeared on the Grauniad

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/25/c...

Channel 4 News tonight repeated the footage from the Dispatches programme the best part of 20 years ago of their reporter asking questions on the FA man in charge of youth football and getting no response at all.

[Vocal Minority]

316Mining said:

I don't think we have any idea yet on the numbers of abused, do you?

I can se this snowballing. For every footballer that had a career in football there are tens of thousands of lads who didn't make it to professional football. Some maybe even could have been pro footballers but were so traumatised by this that they stopped playing..... Who knows?

Just seems odd to see men in their 50s finally deciding to come forward.

From what I have been told, I think people who have never been unfortunate enough to become a victim cannot POSSIBLY understand how it makes the victim feel. We have no idea and always try and apply logic (e.g. why does it take so long) to a world where logic cannot possibly exist.

I understand that they basically believe it is their fault. They feel damaged and ashamed and that society will reject them, that they are worthless.

You simply cannot apply logic to it. You simply can't.

Edited by Vocal Minority on Friday 25th November 21:28

[316Mining]

Ive just seen the interviews. It's very moving stuff.

I guess you have to remember that the men you see now were but scared boys when this happened to them.

I'm guessing this abuse was rife. Perhaps there's a scandle as big as the Roman Catholic Preists here....?

[Vocal Minority]

I should expect that the memories have enough to turn them right back into those scared little boys again.

I think you're right - it may end up being the tip of the iceberg

[poo at Paul's]

Derek Smith said:

The mods should delete alleged rather than just correct the spelling.

The people speaking up today though are alleging this, aren't they? It's not been proven yet, has it?

[anonymous-user]

Shocking that some of the rapists were multiple offenders holding numerous positions in clubs and even after re offending recieved such short sentences.

[Oakey]

poo at Paul's said:

The people speaking up today though are alleging this, aren't they? It's not been proven yet, has it?

My mate works for Paul Stewart, he's a local businessman with successful company. What does he have to gain coming forward?

[poo at Paul's]

Oakey said:

poo at Paul's said:

The people speaking up today though are alleging this, aren't they? It's not been proven yet, has it?

My mate works for Paul Stewart, he's a local businessman with successful company. What does he have to gain coming forward?

Not sure what you mean, I was replying to the chap saying we should take the word alleged out of the title.

[carinaman]

Radio 4 6AM News said some of the boys at Crewe were paid off, had their silence bought.

[Corpulent Tosser]

Back in the late 90s a former Celtic Boys Club coach was jailed for abuse, so this is nothing new but it is good that more players speak out and help protect present and future young players.

[greygoose]

It is good that they are speaking out following Andy Woodward's initial interview with the Guardian. The scale of the abuse by one man seems horrific and it will be interesting to see if other abusers are uncovered.

I remember reading Brian Moore's autobiography when he disclosed that he had been abused as a child, hopefully other victims will feel safe to disclose what happened to them.