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Footballers' trust to 'fight for justice' over abuse Sex abuse footballers 'want to be free of pain'
(35 minutes later)
Three ex-footballers who say they were sexually abused as children have called for the sport to back an independent trust that will "fight for justice". Three ex-footballers who came forward to say they were sexually abused as children have called for the sport to back an independent trust that will "fight for justice".
The Offside Trust is fronted by former Crewe Alexandra players Andy Woodward and Steve Walters, and ex-Manchester City youth player Chris Unsworth.The Offside Trust is fronted by former Crewe Alexandra players Andy Woodward and Steve Walters, and ex-Manchester City youth player Chris Unsworth.
Woodward - the first to speak out about abuse - said: "We have all been through it and we just want justice." Woodward said: "We have all been through it and we just want justice."
The players have waived their right to anonymity to tell their stories. He said he wanted to help other victims and "for us to be free from the pain".
They broke their silence last month about abuse in football, prompting more people to come forward. Woodward, Walters and Unsworth gave up their right to anonymity last month to speak about abuse in football, prompting more people to come forward.
A total of 350 people have alleged they are victims and 55 amateur and professional football clubs are linked to allegations of abuse. A total of 350 people have alleged they are victims and 55 amateur and professional football clubs are linked to allegations of abuse going back several decades.
Eighteen police forces have announced investigations. 'Terrible ordeal'
'Free from pain' Meanwhile, Rangers Football Club has confirmed a former youth coach was sacked following an allegation of inappropriate behaviour towards a teenage player.
Gordon Neely, who died two years ago, was a youth coach at Rangers in the 1980s when police were contacted over the claims made by the player. The club said he had been "dismissed immediately".
Dyfed Powys Police has become the latest police force to announce an investigation into abuse allegations and there are now 20 forces looking into reports, including three of the four Welsh forces.
The Offside Trust aims to create a support network for players who have suffered abuse and their families.The Offside Trust aims to create a support network for players who have suffered abuse and their families.
At its launch on Monday, Woodward said: "We do want justice because we all suffered a terrible ordeal. At its launch on Monday, Woodward, who was the first to come forward to speak about abuse by a former coach, told a news conference: "We do want justice because we all suffered a terrible ordeal.
"We want to move forward so we can protect the children suffering right now. "We want to move forward so we can protect the children suffering right now... we just want to help people. That's it."
"It [the trust] is not about anything more than we just want to help people. That's it." 'Stop bravado'
The footballers say they hope to work with other sports and schools in the long term.The footballers say they hope to work with other sports and schools in the long term.
"All I want out of this is for us to be free from the pain that we have gone through," Woodward said. On speaking out, an emotional Walters said: "It's the best thing I have ever done now.
On speaking out, an emotional Walters told the news conference: "It's the best thing I have ever done now. "I have carried a 100 ton weight on my back for years and years and that's gone now - there is a light at the end of the tunnel."
"I have carried a 100 ton weight on my back for years and years and that's gone now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel." He called on more high-profile players to back their campaign.
"It's happening everywhere down the years," he said. "The bravado in football has to stop.
"We need more help, publicity and support from high-profile sports people."
On Sunday, FA head of equality and safeguarding Sue Ravenlaw told BBC Radio 5 live that the scale of the historical abuse allegations was the biggest challenge for the FA, alongside reassuring young people that football is safer today.On Sunday, FA head of equality and safeguarding Sue Ravenlaw told BBC Radio 5 live that the scale of the historical abuse allegations was the biggest challenge for the FA, alongside reassuring young people that football is safer today.
Pointing to the safeguarding regulations that have been in place over the past 10 to 15 years, she said: "I would like to think the culture has changed."Pointing to the safeguarding regulations that have been in place over the past 10 to 15 years, she said: "I would like to think the culture has changed."
However, she said the scale of the abuse allegations was a "massive wake-up call" for club owners and directors to do the right thing at every level.However, she said the scale of the abuse allegations was a "massive wake-up call" for club owners and directors to do the right thing at every level.