Crewe Alexandra - It's happened again.

[lordofthepies]

It’s an issue that should be discussed and not in terms of Crewe but football as a whole as lessons need to be learnt. The confusion is that even Crewe fans don’t discuss it, barely a mention on the forums they have and it’s usual. Had it been at Vale our fans would of been demanding answers and absolutely mortified by it.
.

Some people act like the club is the real victim. However, everybody I know is absolutely mortified and want some answers.

 

[lordofthepies]

Oh Dear.

https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/crewe-alex-football-coach-handed-16254669

How does this keep happening at the same club?

The Carl Everall thing didn't happen at the club.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

He was employed by us, but, considering this was an activity well away from any premises where the football club is officially resident and was with a female minor who wasn't associated with the football club at all (I believe it was the child of a family friend) this genuinely had nothing to do with the football club.

He has rightly been put on the register and rightly had his employment terminated by the football club. I don't know what else there is to address? The football club certainly aren't liable for his out-of-work misconduct...

 

[lordofthepies]

He was employed by us, but, considering this was an activity well away from any premises where the football club is officially resident and was with a female minor who wasn't associated with the football club at all (I believe it was the child of a family friend) this genuinely had nothing to do with the football club.

He has rightly been put on the register and rightly had his employment terminated by the football club. I don't know what else there is to address? The football club certainly aren't liable for his out-of-work misconduct...

And unless I'm missing something, there's not really much they could have done to stop or predict it? Especially seeing as anyone employed in this sort of position goes through some pretty stringent background checks these days...

 

[TimeyWimey]

Some people act like the club is the real victim. However, everybody I know is absolutely mortified and want some answers.

There was quite a comprehensive thread on here last year where debates were had in a (semi) sensible manner and points laid down

http://onefootballforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/crewe-alex-sex-abuse-scandal.19159/

The case hasn't moved on since that thread. There are lawsuits, court cases and an FA inquiry ongoing, which we aren't privy to. I'm really not sure why valefan16 thinks it'd be of benefit to "discuss it" when there's really not that much more to discuss than 3 years ago. There are a small number of individuals who claim victim status but if you honestly believe that is the norm, sit in the Main Stand on a Saturday. A lot of people have stronger words for Bowler and/or Dario than any of you Vale fans. I think it's clear from the post that we're all "arrogant" (mate, get a grip, talk about taking football rivalry to heart) that it's an inherent dislike for us completely clouding all reasonable thinking.

 

[valefan16]

Lol. Is that really the best you’ve got? Well done, you’re better at wasting money you sign our rejects pal, like the lad you’ve signed from Leek Town, we took players like Dave Brammer of you for half a million.

To be fair we owed you one for Tosh Naylor

 

[GodsGift]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1159087785229410305

Crewe fans at it again on social media following the most recent revelations about Dario Gradi/Chelsea. Utterly depressing to see how supporters continue to apply their tribal nonsense to a subject matter as significant as this.

 

[darren gregory]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1159087785229410305

Crewe fans at it again on social media following the most recent revelations about Dario Gradi/Chelsea. Utterly depressing to see how supporters continue to apply their tribal nonsense to a subject matter as significant as this.

The comments from Walters and Woodward speak volumes.
Was shocked to see Gradi is 78.
Probably be 6 foot under by the time people talk

 

[Agent Carter]

Grant Coiley is a Police-informing little noncey rat.

Pass it on.

 

[lordofthepies]

The comments from Walters and Woodward speak volumes.
Was shocked to see Gradi is 78.
Probably be 6 foot under by the time people talk

Talk about what?

 

[darren gregory]

Talk about what?

The truth

 

[lordofthepies]

The truth

And what do you think the truth is?

 

[mozzavale]

Well here's my truth. I was 11 in 93 when I started playing for Stoke school of excellence and then Stone Dominoes. Barry Bennell was my coach at the time. During that time he took us on trips (I only ever went once). He told us ghost stories in the middle of the peak district in the middle of the night and scared us senseless. Nothing ever happened to me, but I know the lad who was abused in the states, which led to his arrest. These were bennell's tactics. Tactics he used at Crewe, tactics Crewe received complaints about. Tactics Dario knew he was using, and knew parents weren't happy with. So did Bowler. Crewe gave Bennell a glowing reference to Dominoes. For years he continued his abuse, and Crewe just brushed it under the carpet and shifted the problem, putting young lads like me in harm's way.

I gave an interview to the FA enquiry 12 months ago. I was invited by Stoke City. Stoke City, the club I despise. If ever rivalry gave me chance stick the knife in to damage them, that was it. Stoke were brilliant, and I said so at the interview. This isn't about rivalry, this is about right and wrong, being accountable for their actions. Stoke have opened their doors and encouraged people to come forward and give their accounts of what happened. Crewe on the other hand. Deny. Deflect. Add insult to injury to all those victims.

I couldn't give a shit about rivalry. Crewe mean nothing to me. I don't know one single Crewe, so win lose or draw v Crewe, I go work on Monday and it means no more or less than v any other club. So all that rivalry chat is complete bollocks from a group of football fans putting club before all else. Shame on them

 

[Valeite]

A lot of the Crewe fans I know are very critical of the clubs (non)actions, others on here would prefer if it remained hidden and are critical of journos trying to do their job..

 

[Crewelad87]

A lot of the Crewe fans I know are very critical of the clubs (non)actions, others on here would prefer if it remained hidden and are critical of journos trying to do their job..

I'm critical of a select few journalists, whose sole purpose seems to be to destroy our club, if Man City, Chelsea ect got the same treatment I'd understand that more. But I do also agree our club have handled the whole situation dreadfully. In sure there are things that I don't understand, and certain things can't be said because of "legal reasons" ect ect. I just feel the club could be more supportive to the victims of a truly horrible crime from a disgusting human being.

 

[dannyc5]

Except you never played for Crewe, and your experience with Bennell was at Stone and Stoke. So with all due respect, all that you have written in regards to what Dario and Bowler knew is just conjecture. For every horror story we hear about Crewe from the lads that Bennell abused, we hear stories from the likes of Danny Murphy, Dean Ashton, Dean Greygoose and Neil Lennon, that portray the club in a completely different light. It is quite clear to me that Crewe have behaved appallingly since Woodward came forward, and have not shown one iota of decency. However, until the FA enquiry is complete, I will reserve judgement about how Crewe behaved in the 80s and early 90s.

 

[mozzavale]

Except you never played for Crewe, and your experience with Bennell was at Stone and Stoke. So with all due respect, all that you have written in regards to what Dario and Bowler knew is just conjecture. For every horror story we hear about Crewe from the lads that Bennell abused, we hear stories from the likes of Danny Murphy, Dean Ashton, Dean Greygoose and Neil Lennon, that portray the club in a completely different light. It is quite clear to me that Crewe have behaved appallingly since Woodward came forward, and have not shown one iota of decency. However, until the FA enquiry is complete, I will reserve judgement about how Crewe behaved in the 80s and early 90s.

Not conjecture at all. A past Director has said as much re Bowler, and Darios approach to a similar issue at Chelsea has been revealed recently from their independent review. His response to the whole situation and lack of remorse shows how he views the whole situation. He went out of his way to provide Bennell with a character reference in mitigation at his trial in the 90s.

I'm not suggesting all of that is a smoking gun that proves Crewe's guilt, and I've seen the counter arguments against your old director, is he the MPs father?

I too await the outcome of the enquiry with interest, so take your point to an extent, but the points raised above when combined with Crewe's behaviour in recent years since this resurfaced, shows there is a toxic approach being adopted by the club. All put together paint a very disturbing picture that can't be ignored and is in stark contrast to other clubs that have become embroiled in this mess.

Very few Crewe fans have had the ability to remove allegiance and view these issues with a degree of decency. It's shocking really.

 

[dannyc5]

Not conjecture at all. A past Director has said as much re Bowler, and Darios approach to a similar issue at Chelsea has been revealed recently from their independent review. His response to the whole situation and lack of remorse shows how he views the whole situation. He went out of his way to provide Bennell with a character reference in mitigation at his trial in the 90s.

I'm not suggesting all of that is a smoking gun that proves Crewe's guilt, and I've seen the counter arguments against your old director, is he the MPs father?

I too await the outcome of the enquiry with interest, so take your point to an extent, but the points raised above when combined with Crewe's behaviour in recent years since this resurfaced, shows there is a toxic approach being adopted by the club. All put together paint a very disturbing picture that can't be ignored and is in stark contrast to other clubs that have become embroiled in this mess.

Very few Crewe fans have had the ability to remove allegiance and view these issues with a degree of decency. It's shocking really.

The Hamilton Smith accusations were never proven. It was his word against the other board members. Every other board member who is still alive said the meeting never happened. So did the old club secretary.

In regards to Dario. I think the Chelsea enquiry showed a man that was completely and utterly naive, bordering on reckless. I don't think he has the capacity to understand the seriousness of accusations such as these. I think he is socially weird, and lives on planet Gradi. I also think he doesn't have the capacity to show compassion, and perhaps also remorse.

Bowler, I don't know. He is adamant he knew nothing. Also worth bearing in mind he wasn't chairman for a number of the abuse years. So we will have to wait and see what the enquiry thinks about his role in it all. Personally, if I was him, I would have resigned by now. I suspect he will once the enquiry is published.

In regards to crewe fans views. Ignore what you see on twitter. There are only around 50 crewe fans on twitter that regularly tweet. A very small sample size.

 

[JJ1532]

Simon Jordan(I know, who'd have thought right?) gave a very good explanation for why the club have acted the way they have. Doesn't make it right or acceptable, but it does make it understandable.

https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/ex-crystal-palace-chairman-gives-16039454

Also, it's easy to criticise the club and compare them to Man City or Chelsea. Most of those involved in the abuse at those clubs have now gone, either dead or no longer involved. So it's easy for a new ownership group to come in, find fault with the regime of the 80s and assign blame.

I for one fully believe the findings that Chelsea published about Gradi's role in Eddie Heath's abuse. I'm disgusted with him and find it embarrassing that anyone would ever utter his name in a positive light ever again. I don't care if he is totally innocent of any wrong doing at Crewe and I don't care about his achievements with the club. He needs putting out to pasture, as does Bowler.

The concern for me is that Gradi admitting he knew about Heath(because he was close friends with him) doesn't exactly support his case that he knew nothing of Bennell. I find that highly suspect. Be interesting to see if he gets pinned on that during questioning.

I just hope the truth, whatever it may be, comes out so the victims can get some sort of justice. That's all that matters.

 

[lordofthepies]

Very few Crewe fans have had the ability to remove allegiance and view these issues with a degree of decency. It's shocking really.

I don't think that's true at all. I've seen a lot of nonsense from idiots on Facebook and Twitter from people who seem to feel personally attacked by the whole thing and even some people who seem to be blaming the victims - their attitude is stupid and disgusting. However, nobody I know personally or have spoken to feels that way. Everyone I know is sickened that this was allowed to happen at our club. I'm sure most people would like to wait until the results of the enquiry before jumping in and making demands but I can't see Bowler and Gradi being able to survive once our majority shareholder is finally bought out.

It is clearly a good thing that people like Daniel Taylor have given voice to the victims, even if they have made a few factual errors. Some people are upset that so much of the focus is on Crewe for employing a paedophile - when the same man was employed by City and it appears that Chelsea employed more than one paedophile.

It's inevitable to an extent though, not just because Andy Woodward was the first man to speak out but also because Gradi and Bowler were on the board back then and they are still at the club. I've got no problems people pointing out when journos get things wrong but the journos and our fans should be asking questions of the club so anyone who attacks them just for doing that needs to take a long, hard look at themselves. It only serves to make us look even worse.

 

[Fuzzyvalefan]

There is a hell of a lot of smoke around Gradi for there to be no fire.