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Southampton 'abuser' still working in football Southampton 'abuser' still working in football
(35 minutes later)
An ex-Southampton FC employee who has been accused of abusing young boys at the club in the 1980s is still working in football, the BBC understands.An ex-Southampton FC employee who has been accused of abusing young boys at the club in the 1980s is still working in football, the BBC understands.
The man, who has not been named for legal reasons, is understood to have left Southampton after concerns were raised about his behaviour - but is now employed by another football club.The man, who has not been named for legal reasons, is understood to have left Southampton after concerns were raised about his behaviour - but is now employed by another football club.
A former youth player has told the BBC he was abused by the man.A former youth player has told the BBC he was abused by the man.
He is the fourth to allege he was subjected to abuse at Southampton.He is the fourth to allege he was subjected to abuse at Southampton.
The footballer was at Southampton for two years, between the ages of 14 and 16, in the 1980s, during which time he says a member of staff molested him.The footballer was at Southampton for two years, between the ages of 14 and 16, in the 1980s, during which time he says a member of staff molested him.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that young team-mates were made to take part in games of a sexual nature.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that young team-mates were made to take part in games of a sexual nature.
The employee, he said, would inspect the boys while they were naked, deliberately touch them inappropriately while giving massages, and make them put their heads in his lap.
Reporter Zoe Conway said the player, now a man in his 40s, spoke about the shame he felt as he remembered this, and said he would dread going near the man.Reporter Zoe Conway said the player, now a man in his 40s, spoke about the shame he felt as he remembered this, and said he would dread going near the man.
The BBC understands the employee left Southampton after concerns were raised about his behaviour towards the young players.The BBC understands the employee left Southampton after concerns were raised about his behaviour towards the young players.
He went on to work for other clubs, although the BBC understands he was asked to leave one of them. The man is again working at another football club.He went on to work for other clubs, although the BBC understands he was asked to leave one of them. The man is again working at another football club.
Southampton Football Club said it had contacted police after receiving information regarding historical child abuse and had offered its full support for any investigation.Southampton Football Club said it had contacted police after receiving information regarding historical child abuse and had offered its full support for any investigation.
Meanwhile, former footballers Andy Woodward, 43, Steve Walters and Chris Unsworth, both 44, have launched a support organisation - called the Offside Trust - to support players who are victims of abuse and their families.Meanwhile, former footballers Andy Woodward, 43, Steve Walters and Chris Unsworth, both 44, have launched a support organisation - called the Offside Trust - to support players who are victims of abuse and their families.
The former players broke their silence last month to make claims of abuse in football, prompting several more to come forward.The former players broke their silence last month to make claims of abuse in football, prompting several more to come forward.
On Thursday, former Southampton players Dean Radford and Jamie Webb alleged they had suffered years of sexual abuse by a former employee.On Thursday, former Southampton players Dean Radford and Jamie Webb alleged they had suffered years of sexual abuse by a former employee.
A third player has spoken to the BBC but remained anonymous.A third player has spoken to the BBC but remained anonymous.
Ex-Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy said he was "shocked and disgusted" by claims of grooming and sexual abuse.Ex-Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy said he was "shocked and disgusted" by claims of grooming and sexual abuse.
On Friday, former Chelsea footballer Gary Johnson, who was a member of the first team from 1978 to 1981, claimed the club had paid him £50,000 to keep quiet about abuse allegations.On Friday, former Chelsea footballer Gary Johnson, who was a member of the first team from 1978 to 1981, claimed the club had paid him £50,000 to keep quiet about abuse allegations.
He told the Daily Mirror he had been abused as a youth player in the 1970s by the club's former scout, Eddie Heath, who is now dead.He told the Daily Mirror he had been abused as a youth player in the 1970s by the club's former scout, Eddie Heath, who is now dead.
Former Chelsea midfielder Alan Hudson has said on Facebook that it was "common knowledge that Mr Heath was a danger to us youngsters".
Former England defender John Scales, whose clubs included Liverpool and Tottenham, told Today: "Football is a strange environment, the dressing room is a ruthless place where any vulnerability is a no-no because players would feel that they would be victimised, bullied, made a fool of, whatever.Former England defender John Scales, whose clubs included Liverpool and Tottenham, told Today: "Football is a strange environment, the dressing room is a ruthless place where any vulnerability is a no-no because players would feel that they would be victimised, bullied, made a fool of, whatever.
"There's all sorts of rumours that go round dressing rooms and players talk, but never once did I ever hear of a player talking about having been sexually abused as a boy coming up through the ranks at a football club.""There's all sorts of rumours that go round dressing rooms and players talk, but never once did I ever hear of a player talking about having been sexually abused as a boy coming up through the ranks at a football club."
He said the only suspicion was about Crewe Alexandra FC which was at the centre of rumour and gossip.He said the only suspicion was about Crewe Alexandra FC which was at the centre of rumour and gossip.
Gerry Sutcliffe, sport minister between 2007 and 2010, said there was concern at the time about how the Football Association dealt with governance of the sport and with youth development.Gerry Sutcliffe, sport minister between 2007 and 2010, said there was concern at the time about how the Football Association dealt with governance of the sport and with youth development.
Now, he said, an independent body, such as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport should look at the issue rather than the FA investigating itself.Now, he said, an independent body, such as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport should look at the issue rather than the FA investigating itself.
"What I've seen in football over the years is that they're very narrow, very insular, and may not do a proper job even though with the right intentions," he said."What I've seen in football over the years is that they're very narrow, very insular, and may not do a proper job even though with the right intentions," he said.
The captains of the England men's, women's and cerebral palsy football teams - Wayne Rooney, Steph Houghton and Jack Rutter - have taken part in a film about how to keep children safe in the sport.The captains of the England men's, women's and cerebral palsy football teams - Wayne Rooney, Steph Houghton and Jack Rutter - have taken part in a film about how to keep children safe in the sport.
Ex-England captain Alan Shearer has said he has been "shocked and deeply saddened" by revelations of abuse in the game.Ex-England captain Alan Shearer has said he has been "shocked and deeply saddened" by revelations of abuse in the game.
Some 18 police forces have announced investigations into claims of sexual abuse in football.Some 18 police forces have announced investigations into claims of sexual abuse in football.
A total of 350 people have come forward alleging they were victims and 55 football clubs are linked to allegations of abuse.A total of 350 people have come forward alleging they were victims and 55 football clubs are linked to allegations of abuse.
A dedicated NSPCC helpline received more than 800 phone calls in a week. The line is available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642.A dedicated NSPCC helpline received more than 800 phone calls in a week. The line is available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642.
Police forces investigating allegations of historical sexual abuse within football:Police forces investigating allegations of historical sexual abuse within football:
Kent Police also said it had received reports which it was reviewing.Kent Police also said it had received reports which it was reviewing.