More people contact police after footballer speaks out over abuse
Last Updated: 31/10/19 2:40pm
More people have come forward to police after a former footballer spoke of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his coach.
Former Sheffield United player Andy Woodward told how he was abused by 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.
Acting Detective Sergeant Ben Hilton, of Cheshire Police public protection unit, said: "As of Monday 21 November, we have been made aware of six other people who have come forward wishing to speak to the police.
"We are currently in the process of making contact with the six people, and at this stage no-one else is under investigation.
"Cheshire Constabulary takes all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and has specialist trained officers to provide advice and support."
Sue Ravenlaw, head of equality and safeguarding at the Football Association, said she applauded Woodward's courage after he spoke out in an interview with The Guardian.
She said: "Reading Andy Woodward's story in The Guardian was heartbreaking and we applaud his immense courage in coming forward to speak about the horrific abuse he suffered.
"Barry Bennell remains permanently suspended from football, in line with our procedures.
"The FA takes all matters of safeguarding and child protection seriously and we encourage anyone who may have experienced or is experiencing abuse in football to contact the NSPCC's confidential 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 or Childline for children and young people on 0800 1111."
In his interview with The Guardian, Woodward said: "My life has been ruined until the age of 43, but how many others are there?
"I'm talking about hundreds of children who Barry Bennell cherry-picked for various football teams and who now, as adults, might still be living with that awful fear."
Another former Crewe player, Steve Walters, who in May 1988 became the youngest player in the history of the club, at the age of 16 years and 119 days
"All these years, I've had this secret inside me," he said. "But I have to let it all out now. It's the only way. I want closure and I know, for a fact, this is going to help me move on.
"It's been unbearable but, just from reading the article from Andy, it already feels like a massive burden off my shoulders. I have to do this, and I just hope it will help bring more people forward, too."
Former England international Paul Stewart, formerly of Manchester City Liverpool and Tottenham, also told the Daily Mirror he was sexually assaulted by a youth coach as a child over a four-year period.
Crewe also issued the club's response on Tuesday following the media coverage of Woodward's interview.
A statement read: "Crewe Alexandra Football Club appreciate that concern has been expressed about the delay in the club making any comment to recent media coverage. 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.
"We are a proud football club and would always take any allegation seriously. Any form of abuse has no place in football or society.
"We have already concurred with the statements made by the Football Association, the Premier League and the Football League that described Andy Woodward's ordeal as 'heart breaking' and praised him for his 'immense courage'."
Cheshire Police urged anyone who had been the victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago, to contact the force on 101.
