Andy Woodward was 'too frightened to speak out' over abuse
Thursday 24 November 2016 00:19, UK
Andy Woodward says fear of failing to fulfil his dream of becoming a pro footballer prevented him speaking out over the sexual abuse he suffered.
In an interview last week with The Guardian, the former Sheffield United player broke his silence on abuse he suffered at the hands of coach Barry Bennell while at Crewe Alexandra between the ages of 11 and 15.
Bennell was jailed for nine years in 1998 after pleading guilty to sexual offences.
Sky News understands that 11 people have now approached Cheshire Police with information regarding alleged football-related abuse and the force are now in the process of contacting them. No arrests have been made.
Former Crewe Alexandra player Steve Walters has also revealed abuse at the hands of convicted paedophile Bennell while a third, former England forward Paul Stewart, has described abuse at the hands of an unnamed coach.
Speaking in an exclusive interview to Sky Sports News HQ, Woodward said: "I was scared, I was frightened, all sorts of emotions that I can't even put into words how I was feeling.
"But the underlying thing was that I knew that man had the key to my future and that threat that he continually gave me was insignificant to what I actually wanted, and all I wanted was to walk out at Old Trafford or Gresty Road - wherever it was - just to become a professional footballer.
"And that is what every other victim has gone through. They needed that so much that this power and control took over everything."
I am at a point now when I know why I didn't say anything because it wasn't my fault... it wasn't my fault what had happened.
Asked if he felt speaking out would cost him the chance of fulfilling his dream, the 43-year-old added: "Absolutely, and that is what everyone will tell you.
"That fear overrode the desire to play and they knew it, and that power they had over that was just so immense that it was complete control, over football really.
"For many years, I blamed myself for what was happening. It's probably a bit too early to talk about the actual emotions, although I said this a long time ago, it has brought so many memories back.
"But you go through all sorts of emotions of guilt and 'why didn't I tell somebody?' I am at a point now when I know why I didn't say anything because it wasn't my fault... it wasn't my fault what had happened."
And Woodward believes there could still be a number of players going through the same ordeal as himself and Walters due to "some evil coaches within football".
"It's so tragic to say this, and it is so sad really, football is the most beautiful game in the world and out there, there are so many wonderful coaches and they are absolutely fantastic," he added.
"But there has been some evil coaches within football and I do believe this is going to be something really big in terms of how many people have suffered."
*A new hotline for footballers who have been the victims of sexual abuse has been launched by the NSPCC. The hotline will be available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642.
