Football's sexual abuse scandal

[Abertawe]

As a result of Andy Woodwood being brave enough to speak openly it appears a nasty can of worms have been opened up. The PFA have said they're now consulting with 11 players who have advised of abuse they've suffered. I saw the Crewe chairman interviewed last night and it was horrific viewing, I'll wait for the pending investigation to make it's conclusions but something felt very dodgy. Dario Gradi is now under the spotlight as to what he knew went on http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...andal-dario-gradi-andy-woodward-a7434706.html

Merely a link but Gary Speed was coached by the so far only named culprit.

 

[GodsGift]

Crewe have handed this appallingly having originally refused to comment. Like you say, Gradi really needs to tread carefully with what he says.

The Guardian's Daniel Taylor deserves heaps of credit for his work btw.

 

[Stringy]

Paul Stewart's account is particularly chilling.

 

[lordofthepies]

It's awful - I had no idea that the way the club acted at the time was so terrible - I always just assumed they had some kind of process in place to help the kids when this came out in the 90s. It appears that they didn't. Crewe is built around its academy in a way that no other club in the country is. Therefore, for two (and let's face it, probably a lot more) of our own kids to feel so let down by the club is unacceptable and unforgivable. I can't believe that nobody ever even checked that they were ok at the time.

They've handled it so badly now as well - I understand that they're making their own investigations so there are certain things they can't really comment on but the obvious thing to do was immediately issue an apology that it was allowed to happen in the first place and also apologise for the fact that the players feel that the club didn't do enough in the aftermath. As usual, they clearly just tried to sweep it under the carpet at the time and they've just tried to ignore it and hope that it goes away when it resurfaced last week. It's taken nearly a week for them to display any basic empathy.

It sounds like there could be some people who knew what was going on at the time (although there was a pretty thorough CID investigation - they interviewed basically everybody at the club, including all the kids) but for various reasons, I find it difficult to think that Dario knew what was going on, although some of the things he's said - then and now - were not particularly helpful.

And it's an obvious thing to say, but fair play to the 4 men who have waived their right to anonymity. It's a damn brave thing to do and it really seems to be helping them and others.

 

[Stringy]

The NSPCC's hotline has now received over fifty calls and at least eleven footballers have come forward.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38087552

 

[shane]

Crewe is built around its academy in a way that no other club in the country is.

How so?

 

[ValeMouth]

I see dario gradi at least once a week and he is always with a 14 year old footballer from crewe (shall I name the footballer?) He goes golfing with him, pays for his golf clubs, lessons etc. The other week he let the kid have a go of his Aston Martin on he car park. The way they are together is extremely weird, I wonder if I'll see him this week.

 

[Abertawe]

There are a lot of unusual stories about Gradi. It's well known that for years youth players have stayed overnight at his house. That doesn't automatically mean something ropey is going on but it doesn't help his reputation when you consider his relationship with Bennell.

 

[lordofthepies]

There are a lot of unusual stories about Gradi. It's well known that for years youth players have stayed overnight at his house. That doesn't automatically mean something ropey is going on but it doesn't help his reputation when you consider his relationship with Bennell.

If you look at what at the past players have said about Dario, it's hard to imagine that he has done anything wrong. for example, just look at Danny Murphy's comments today. Many players, Murphy being a prime example, have spoken of him as a father figure. In 33 years, there's not been a sniff of inappropriate behaviour from Dario other than rumours spread by people who couldn't possibly know. It's almost impossible to imagine that the police wouldn't have cottoned on to it when interviewing every youth team player in the 90s when Bennell was caught.

As I said before though, his response to this leaves an awful lot to be desired at the moment though.

 

[lordofthepies]

How so?

Most of our players come from the academy and we pretty much just exist to produce academy players for the first team then sell the better ones. The idea is that this funds the development of the next set of players and the continued survival of the club pretty much depends on it.

 

[GodsGift]

Gradi statement:

 

[mozzavale]

I was coached by Barry Bennell at Stoke's school of excellence around 92/93. Crewe have a lot to answer for with how they've handled this. If anyone in any position of power knew or suspected any of his crimes, then there are a lot of lads in their 30's like me that were put in harms way at places like Stoke City and Stone Dominoes. Luckily for me he never targeted me, but I'm pretty sure I know the lad he abused in the US. Everything fits with the description released by the media at the time. I still see the lad around.

For all of Crewe's failings though, I notice Stoke are keeping very very quiet about all of this, as are Stone Dominoes. All of the talk in the media is that he was associated with them. No he wasn't, he was Stoke's main youth coach when I was there. He ran the show. I remember one trip with Stone where we went for a night over in the Peak District. He took us all out at night in a mini bus in the middle of no where telling us ghost stories and about witches that lived in the area. I was only 11, shit myself. Horrible scum bag, but at the time we all idolised him. He was so good at football, and a great coach. The skills he showed were ridiculously good, so I can understand why so many of the very best players fell under his spell. Luckily for me I wasn't that good in the end and got dropped by Dominoes. I could have carried on at Stoke but was pissed off with him so didn't go back. A year later I found out what he'd done in the States.

Lets see what else comes out about all of this, but I think a few clubs are hoping this blows over without the spotlight heading their way. I think they'd be wise to make a statement soon clarifying their association with him and opening up their own investigation. On this occasion, the Crewe way of burying their head in the sand is clearly not the best approach.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Experiencing the club's naive head in the sand approach to poor form or bad publicity in the past has been frustrating but seeing in on an issue like this has been sickening. I can't quite fathom why or how the club has handled this story (for the last 25 years) so, so badly with such disregard to the victims. Legends of the club have let the youngsters and itself down so badly and the last seven days have just been horrible.

There should be no accusations like the above without concrete evidence but there is that elephant in the room and it could all have been calmed had the club acted in a timely and correct manner. They've done neither so far.

I can't help but wonder and worry just where it is all going too. There is a sense of something big is yet to drop and the papers know it, hence why they are like a dog with a bone with Crewe.

 

[ValiantRob]

I see dario gradi at least once a week and he is always with a 14 year old footballer from crewe (shall I name the footballer?) He goes golfing with him, pays for his golf clubs, lessons etc. The other week he let the kid have a go of his Aston Martin on he car park. The way they are together is extremely weird, I wonder if I'll see him this week.

You should contact the police about this, let Dario explain his actions.

I was coached by Barry Bennell at Stoke's school of excellence around 92/93. Crewe have a lot to answer for with how they've handled this. If anyone in any position of power knew or suspected any of his crimes, then there are a lot of lads in their 30's like me that were put in harms way at places like Stoke City and Stone Dominoes. Luckily for me he never targeted me, but I'm pretty sure I know the lad he abused in the US. Everything fits with the description released by the media at the time. I still see the lad around.

For all of Crewe's failings though, I notice Stoke are keeping very very quiet about all of this, as are Stone Dominoes. All of the talk in the media is that he was associated with them. No he wasn't, he was Stoke's main youth coach when I was there. He ran the show. I remember one trip with Stone where we went for a night over in the Peak District. He took us all out at night in a mini bus in the middle of no where telling us ghost stories and about witches that lived in the area. I was only 11, shit myself. Horrible scum bag, but at the time we all idolised him. He was so good at football, and a great coach. The skills he showed were ridiculously good, so I can understand why so many of the very best players fell under his spell. Luckily for me I wasn't that good in the end and got dropped by Dominoes. I could have carried on at Stoke but was pissed off with him so didn't go back. A year later I found out what he'd done in the States.

Lets see what else comes out about all of this, but I think a few clubs are hoping this blows over without the spotlight heading their way. I think they'd be wise to make a statement soon clarifying their association with him and opening up their own investigation. On this occasion, the Crewe way of burying their head in the sand is clearly not the best approach.

Mozza do you think Bennell was still at Stoke when he went to America and got found out? I would like Peter Coates( as he was the chairman then wasn`t he?)to explain why he employed Bennell when there were lots of rumours regarding what was going on at Crewe. Also I would like to ask Crewe why they sacked him and if they knew what was going on why didn`t they report it to the police, which could have saved others from suffering at the hands of this self confessed monster.

 

[mozzavale]

I assume he was employed by Stoke in 94 but can't be 100% sure. I'd left by then. He would have been in the US as Manager of Stone Dominoes youth team at the time of the offence, but he did both roles at the same time while I was there so it's very likely. If he wasn't at Stoke in 94 I'd like to know why, and like you say, I'd like to know why Crewe sacked him, and then Coates appointed him afterwards. Lots of questions need answering.

 

[Bentos]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/24/george-ormond

Newcastle United now seemingly involved...

 

[Stringy]

I wonder if anything like this has been happening at a grassroots level. Just thinking back to my experience of youth football, there were several teams that did overnight stays, or there'd be times when you'd rely on your coach/manager for a lift to the game. I have no idea if the coaches were ever required to do a CRB if they were volunteers.

 

[GodsGift]

The interview with four former footballers on Victoria Derbyshire this morning made for incredibly powerful TV.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04hvt4q

 

[mozzavale]

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/ston...arry-bennell/story-29934765-detail/story.html

This interview with the former Chairman of Stone Dominoes makes for very interesting reading, and raises serious questions about why Crewe sacked Bennell, provided Dominoes with a glowing reference, which then led to him abusing more young lads at Dominoes.

I think Stone's chairman has so far provided the most honest statement to the press (from a club's position that is) about all of this. Especially when you consider the statements from Crewe, with phrases like "out of the blue". Then you've got Stoke talking to the independent saying that no one at the club back then can remember Bennell???? Seriously??? Peter Coates was well into his first spell as Chairman when Bennell was running Stoke's School of Excellence in 92/93. He was employing the bloke. Why not provide absolute clarity as to his involvement, it's not implying guilt, but lying or saying nothing certainly raises suspicions.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...nchester-city-leeds-stoke-crewe-a7437541.html

 

[TimeyWimey]

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/ston...arry-bennell/story-29934765-detail/story.html

This interview with the former Chairman of Stone Dominoes makes for very interesting reading, and raises serious questions about why Crewe sacked Bennell, provided Dominoes with a glowing reference, which then led to him abusing more young lads at Dominoes.

You'd hope it's because there was genuinely no concerns surrounding him and he was sacked on a completely separate, perhaps more trivial, matter. It just doesn't help that his sacking has seemingly never been explained.

I still can't get my head around why we have opened ourselves up to such a battering these last couple of weeks. Why on earth we weren't transparent 20 years ago and why we weren't equally as transparent last week. All everyone wanted was an acknowledgement of the victims, an apology and a bit of sincerity, none of it's been forthcoming. I don't actually think we're hiding anything, it's just being dealt with in the Crewe way, the way they've always dealt with negativity. Unfortunately for us that makes it all very suspicious to those who aren't familiar with the club. Had the club published a full and proper statement the day Woodward's article appear, I genuinely think there wouldn't be half as much heat on us as there is now.

It doesn't help that this club so closed off from the outside world. You don't have to dig deep on this forum to see Crewe fans complaining about that over the last few years. The board members and the staff pretty much all have links to the club going back decades. There is no media savvy nouse in the boardroom, just a bunch of ageing OAP's overseeing little Crewe who are now so out of their depth it's scary..

 

[Abertawe]

Gradi statement:

Former director has come out to firmly contradict this statement and alleges he informed a local MP and later the FA.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/25/crewe-barry-bennell-former-board-member

 

[spireite]

It must be an extremely difficult thing for a bloke to face up, nevermind publicly speak about. Absolute respect to those that have come forward. It makes you wonder how widespread it has been tho....

 

[NorfolkWomble]

London clubs apparently being investigated now.

 

[Abertawe]

Eric Bristow has his say

 

[Aber gas]

FFS

 

[Pagnell]

Real classy from Bristow. Then again, how else will he get in the news these days.

Just read he's been sacked by Sky Sports. Didn't really think that one through, did you Eric?

 

[lordofthepies]

This was my favourite tweet:

https://twitter.com/ericbristow/status/803363896233000963

 

[spireite]

Fucking Eric Bristow lol. Dinosaur

 

[shoddycollins]

Funny thing is that Bristow later tweeted apologies and he meant to say paedo, not poof, as if making the paedophile/gay link was the only thing he said wrong. He stands by his comments that children who are being molested just need to toughen up.

 

[Pagnell]

The guy clearly has no moral compass as to what signifies appropriate and inappropriate comments. Even saying what he posted to people in private would surely result in him being pulled up (or at least I would hope), but on a fully public social networking site? What the fuck did he expect to happen? What's happened in terms of his work for Sky is fully deserved. I'm not sure what other work he does, but I suspect he brings in a few quid in expedition matches. That will also take a dive, surely.