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| Southampton FC trainer named in connection with abuse allegations Southampton FC trainer named in connection with abuse allegations | |
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| A former youth development officer at Southampton Football Club has been named in connection with allegations of historical sexual abuse of children. | A former youth development officer at Southampton Football Club has been named in connection with allegations of historical sexual abuse of children. |
| Bob Higgins worked with youngsters at the club, which is renowned for its youth system, in the 1980s. He ran respected football academies and was recently working for Fleet Town FC on an “informal unpaid basis”. | Bob Higgins worked with youngsters at the club, which is renowned for its youth system, in the 1980s. He ran respected football academies and was recently working for Fleet Town FC on an “informal unpaid basis”. |
| The BBC said it had spoken to six players who had named Higgins to police. The Hampshire force is understood to be investigating but has refused to confirm this. Fleet’s chairman Steve Cantle said that Mr Higgins was not police checked in 2012 as his role did not involve working with children. | The BBC said it had spoken to six players who had named Higgins to police. The Hampshire force is understood to be investigating but has refused to confirm this. Fleet’s chairman Steve Cantle said that Mr Higgins was not police checked in 2012 as his role did not involve working with children. |
| He added the club had received no notification from either the Football Association or the police about allegations made about anyone involved at the club, but would co-operate fully in any investigation. | He added the club had received no notification from either the Football Association or the police about allegations made about anyone involved at the club, but would co-operate fully in any investigation. |
| Southampton FC also said it was “committed to working together” with police to investigate any historical allegations. | Southampton FC also said it was “committed to working together” with police to investigate any historical allegations. |
| The revelations are the latest blow to a game that is reeling over a spiralling child abuse scandal that began when former professional Andy Woodward told the Guardian he was abused by a coach as a child. | The revelations are the latest blow to a game that is reeling over a spiralling child abuse scandal that began when former professional Andy Woodward told the Guardian he was abused by a coach as a child. |
| At least 18 police forces across Britain are investigating allegations made by 350 alleged victims. The NSPCC said it had received and was processing almost 1,000 reports to a hotline. | At least 18 police forces across Britain are investigating allegations made by 350 alleged victims. The NSPCC said it had received and was processing almost 1,000 reports to a hotline. |
| Chelsea launched its own inquiry after former player Gary Johnson revealed he had signed a confidentiality agreement with the club in 2015 in return for £50,000 after he alleged he was abused by the club’s then chief scout, Eddie Heath, in the 1970s. In a statement issued at the weekend, the Premier League club said it was clear Johnson had “suffered unacceptably” and that the club had “no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view”. | Chelsea launched its own inquiry after former player Gary Johnson revealed he had signed a confidentiality agreement with the club in 2015 in return for £50,000 after he alleged he was abused by the club’s then chief scout, Eddie Heath, in the 1970s. In a statement issued at the weekend, the Premier League club said it was clear Johnson had “suffered unacceptably” and that the club had “no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view”. |
| The game’s governing body in England, the Football Association, has launched an inquiry and several top players, including the England captain, Wayne Rooney, have urged children and parents to speak out if they have any concerns about abuse. | The game’s governing body in England, the Football Association, has launched an inquiry and several top players, including the England captain, Wayne Rooney, have urged children and parents to speak out if they have any concerns about abuse. |
| Higgins was a powerful figure in Southampton’s youth set-up in the 80s and worked with a number of players who have become household names. | Higgins was a powerful figure in Southampton’s youth set-up in the 80s and worked with a number of players who have become household names. |
| Former players who have alleged they were abused at Southampton include Dean Radford, from Bristol, who used to stay over on the south coast when he was a youth player there. Radford told the BBC: “You don’t live every day of your life crying your eyes out and walking around with your head down, you get on with life as normal, but you still have it there, it’s buried there deep, and it comes up, and it will keep coming up for the rest of my life.” | Former players who have alleged they were abused at Southampton include Dean Radford, from Bristol, who used to stay over on the south coast when he was a youth player there. Radford told the BBC: “You don’t live every day of your life crying your eyes out and walking around with your head down, you get on with life as normal, but you still have it there, it’s buried there deep, and it comes up, and it will keep coming up for the rest of my life.” |
| Higgins was charged with sexual offences against boys in 1992 but cleared on the direction of a judge. In 1997, the BBC reported, letters were sent to clubs warning them about him. Police and social workers said they believed “Mr Higgins poses a risk to children”, the BBC reported. | Higgins was charged with sexual offences against boys in 1992 but cleared on the direction of a judge. In 1997, the BBC reported, letters were sent to clubs warning them about him. Police and social workers said they believed “Mr Higgins poses a risk to children”, the BBC reported. |
| Former Southampton and England striker Alan Shearer, now an NSPCC ambassador, praised the bravery of those who had come forward. He said: “They will need to be given our support so as they can get the help they need and should have had years ago.” | Former Southampton and England striker Alan Shearer, now an NSPCC ambassador, praised the bravery of those who had come forward. He said: “They will need to be given our support so as they can get the help they need and should have had years ago.” |
| The Guardian has not been able to contact Higgins for comment. | The Guardian has not been able to contact Higgins for comment. |