| Football's Darkest Secret 22:19 - Mar 22 with 11520 views | GloryHunter |
Blimey, that was a tough watch. And to think I wanted to be a professional footballer when I was a kid . . . |  | | |  |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 09:48 - Mar 23 with 8997 views | terryb |
A very tough watch, but it was essential viewing for me.
I had no idea that Paul Stewart was still performing in The Premier while addicted to alcohol & drugs.
I find it amazing that the man who said "I don't regard putting a hand down the boy's shorts as assault" (or words to that effect) is not receiving more of a media hammering. |  | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 09:54 - Mar 23 with 8979 views | LongsufferingR |
What is so infuriating is the number of people who tried successfully to brush it under the carpet for so long. If found to have been aware and not turned the abusers in, they should be subject to the same penalties as the perpetrators. The Crewe chairman, Gradi and Geoff Hurst among many others. Fkin disgraceful how many hundreds more suffered because of these people's cowardice and inaction. |  | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 10:05 - Mar 23 with 8951 views | GloryHunter |
There's two more episodes to endure. Tonight and tomorrow night at 22.45 on BBC1. | | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 10:54 - Mar 23 with 8869 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
It's over 43 years now and I've forgotten some names and without proof could not name, very hard to prove.
Nothing directly involving the club/ not employed
But there were at the time that I know of, two "youth" football clubs 14-18 that players were scouted at, as were many other clubs.
I know that the managers at these clubs were nonces
One tried it with me, I was 15 at the time, with blackmail that if I said anything, he was going to my parent to say I was gay and I would not play football for any club again. a bloody fistfight followed and I left, had to walk about 10 miles home, the anguish was just terrible, so frightened at what he may say to others.
But this c unt stalked me for months making threats resulting in another fistfight and he did not come near again.
Trust me there was no one to turn to.
He did get nicked about a year later and the cops interviewed me, I denied all knowledge, I was that scared.
t's not like today where you get police support and really you just had to look after yourself
.
The other club I just knew within a week, seeing the same stuff going on like wanting to give massages and invites to their home, booze, so I left.
There simply were no safeguards back then in football or youth clubs |  |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:00 - Mar 23 with 8866 views | The_Beast1976 |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 10:54 - Mar 23 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
It's over 43 years now and I've forgotten some names and without proof could not name, very hard to prove.
Nothing directly involving the club/ not employed
But there were at the time that I know of, two "youth" football clubs 14-18 that players were scouted at, as were many other clubs.
I know that the managers at these clubs were nonces
One tried it with me, I was 15 at the time, with blackmail that if I said anything, he was going to my parent to say I was gay and I would not play football for any club again. a bloody fistfight followed and I left, had to walk about 10 miles home, the anguish was just terrible, so frightened at what he may say to others.
But this c unt stalked me for months making threats resulting in another fistfight and he did not come near again.
Trust me there was no one to turn to.
He did get nicked about a year later and the cops interviewed me, I denied all knowledge, I was that scared.
t's not like today where you get police support and really you just had to look after yourself
.
The other club I just knew within a week, seeing the same stuff going on like wanting to give massages and invites to their home, booze, so I left.
There simply were no safeguards back then in football or youth clubs |
Sorry to hear that. Not a surprise really. These things didn't really start being 'looked at' until recent times. Shocking really. | | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:10 - Mar 23 with 8813 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:00 - Mar 23 by The_Beast1976 |
Sorry to hear that. Not a surprise really. These things didn't really start being 'looked at' until recent times. Shocking really. |
You know what, I've never told anyone face to face, but you never forget.
How these players have managed to speak out is so very brave, they had it much worse than me. | |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:36 - Mar 23 with 8792 views | stowmarketrange |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:10 - Mar 23 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
You know what, I've never told anyone face to face, but you never forget.
How these players have managed to speak out is so very brave, they had it much worse than me. |
I guess the coaches knew they held all the aces over the kids they coached.One bad word,or if they refused to go along with it,the coach could get rid of them and bring another kid in.
The book “No hunger in paradise” shows what a competitive world young footballers live in.And if the kids had a dream to make it as a pro footballer,it would’ve been difficult to rock the boat.
More should’ve been done by the clubs though once they discovered what was going on. |  | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:52 - Mar 23 with 8740 views | BostonR |
As a school kid in the early 70's, who was a reasonable player, this stuff was rife. You knew what coaches were at it. No names, but I played in a tremendous U14's school team, who blew away District, County and National teams in the early 70's.
That team would be watched by a huge amount of pro-scouts who wanted to come into the changing rooms after games, as well as single out individual boy's.
However, we had an incredible PE Teacher who knew what was going on. He was ex RFU, built like a brick shite-house, and he would man the changing room door, coral all the players after games and lead us back to the changing rooms - no-one got near us.
On more than one occasion, we watched him physically assault the scouting fraternity, plus other stuff to keep them away.
I had the privilege of meeting him later in life and asked him about those incidents and he confirmed that a high percentage of those scouts, were questionable individuals and he let them know it. He said his job was to get all 14 players home - the footy was secondary. |  | | |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:57 - Mar 23 with 8719 views | WestbourneR |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:10 - Mar 23 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
You know what, I've never told anyone face to face, but you never forget.
How these players have managed to speak out is so very brave, they had it much worse than me. |
2T2B we don't see eye to eye on many things football related but I salute you for sharing your story. |  |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 12:09 - Mar 23 with 8660 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:57 - Mar 23 by WestbourneR |
2T2B we don't see eye to eye on many things football related but I salute you for sharing your story. |
Thanks
I was lucky and played for a couple of lower league clubs and a few trails higher up and upper none league later on.
I know feck all about football tho.... just muck and nettles are about it  | |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 13:09 - Mar 23 with 8549 views | CiderwithRsie |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 10:54 - Mar 23 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
It's over 43 years now and I've forgotten some names and without proof could not name, very hard to prove.
Nothing directly involving the club/ not employed
But there were at the time that I know of, two "youth" football clubs 14-18 that players were scouted at, as were many other clubs.
I know that the managers at these clubs were nonces
One tried it with me, I was 15 at the time, with blackmail that if I said anything, he was going to my parent to say I was gay and I would not play football for any club again. a bloody fistfight followed and I left, had to walk about 10 miles home, the anguish was just terrible, so frightened at what he may say to others.
But this c unt stalked me for months making threats resulting in another fistfight and he did not come near again.
Trust me there was no one to turn to.
He did get nicked about a year later and the cops interviewed me, I denied all knowledge, I was that scared.
t's not like today where you get police support and really you just had to look after yourself
.
The other club I just knew within a week, seeing the same stuff going on like wanting to give massages and invites to their home, booze, so I left.
There simply were no safeguards back then in football or youth clubs |
This isn't the sort of post I want to up-arrow as if I like what you are saying, but I admire you for writing that. | | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 13:26 - Mar 23 with 8488 views | terryb |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 13:09 - Mar 23 by CiderwithRsie |
This isn't the sort of post I want to up-arrow as if I like what you are saying, but I admire you for writing that. |
I have up arrowed, but I know exactly what you are saying.
2T2B, thank you for relaying your story & well done on being brave enough to walk away from those clubs & defending yourself. | | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 13:34 - Mar 23 with 8465 views | daveB |
Nothing like what 2TTB went through but we used to have a PE teacher who would get in the showers with us, we used to laugh about it but looking back was more than a little odd.
I thought the show was horrible to watch but none of it surprised me. |  | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 13:42 - Mar 23 with 8447 views | loftboy |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 13:34 - Mar 23 by daveB |
Nothing like what 2TTB went through but we used to have a PE teacher who would get in the showers with us, we used to laugh about it but looking back was more than a little odd.
I thought the show was horrible to watch but none of it surprised me. |
Same here,we weren’t allowed to wear underpants in game lessons as apparently if they got wet we would have to wear them all day, one of our teachers used to walk around and pull out the front of our football shorts to check Weren’t wearing them. Definitely a wrongun.
Sorry you had to go through what you did 2T2B |  |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 13:48 - Mar 23 with 8403 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
No need to vote up or down but thanks.
I just wrote another longish post but it's not doing me good so going to leave it at that. | |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 14:03 - Mar 23 with 8375 views | BrianMcCarthy |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 13:48 - Mar 23 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
No need to vote up or down but thanks.
I just wrote another longish post but it's not doing me good so going to leave it at that. |
Take care, 2T2B. |  |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 14:54 - Mar 23 with 8263 views | PhilmyRs |
Yeah a tough watch.
The contrast between David White and Steve Walters Dads’ was so sad to hear. One not able to tell his Dad about the horrors of what was happening to him as he knew his Dad would ‘sort it’ and kill Bennell and he couldn’t face his Dad being sent away and the other finally getting the courage to tell his Dad of the abuse only for him to blank him and not even acknowledge any of what he said. How you couldn’t support your son at a time like that is beyond me.
I’m still not sure where I stand on Dario Gradi. Danny Murphy has done quite a decent job of trying to defend him, and he knows him well and considers him a friend, but could you really be as naïve as him and not realise what Bennell was up to? | | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 15:06 - Mar 23 with 8221 views | kensalriser |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 14:54 - Mar 23 by PhilmyRs |
Yeah a tough watch.
The contrast between David White and Steve Walters Dads’ was so sad to hear. One not able to tell his Dad about the horrors of what was happening to him as he knew his Dad would ‘sort it’ and kill Bennell and he couldn’t face his Dad being sent away and the other finally getting the courage to tell his Dad of the abuse only for him to blank him and not even acknowledge any of what he said. How you couldn’t support your son at a time like that is beyond me.
I’m still not sure where I stand on Dario Gradi. Danny Murphy has done quite a decent job of trying to defend him, and he knows him well and considers him a friend, but could you really be as naïve as him and not realise what Bennell was up to? |
There's an argument that enablers are worse than , or equally as bad as the perpetrators.
There will always be those who are compelled to commit these acts, just as there will always be people who commit all sorts of crimes. But people who are in a position to make a difference covering up and/or enabling it is very hard to get your head around. |  |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 15:16 - Mar 23 with 8185 views | CamberleyR |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 14:54 - Mar 23 by PhilmyRs |
Yeah a tough watch.
The contrast between David White and Steve Walters Dads’ was so sad to hear. One not able to tell his Dad about the horrors of what was happening to him as he knew his Dad would ‘sort it’ and kill Bennell and he couldn’t face his Dad being sent away and the other finally getting the courage to tell his Dad of the abuse only for him to blank him and not even acknowledge any of what he said. How you couldn’t support your son at a time like that is beyond me.
I’m still not sure where I stand on Dario Gradi. Danny Murphy has done quite a decent job of trying to defend him, and he knows him well and considers him a friend, but could you really be as naïve as him and not realise what Bennell was up to? |
Don't forget Gradi was heavily criticised in the inquiry launched by ch*ls** in 2019 over their paedophile ex chief scout Eddie Heath in the early 70s when he was their coach/assistant manager at the time. He was accused of allegedly failing to tell more senior club staff about an allegation regarding the sexual conduct of Heath, brought to him by the parent of a young player which could have exposed him there and then.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49251891 [Post edited 23 Mar 2021 15:29]
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 18:26 - Mar 23 with 8028 views | TGRRRSSS |
Disturbing stuff but maybe less surprising than you imagine.
ONe of my old school teachers (My class teacher for 2 years) also did PE is now in the slammer for offences which included when I knew him, and almost certainly people I knew at the time, and looking back some dodgy stuff which in and of itself you don't always think much of at the time (school showers type of thing)
Now doing a 12 years. Minumum will be 6 and register for life/
Hard to know where to stand on Gradi but it's interesting to note nobody has actually directly (so far as I know) made an allegation about him specifically.
Worth remembering these people get into all different areas where they will have direct opportunity to do these things.
Odd that other areas seem to get disregarded very quickly though...... |  | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 19:11 - Mar 23 with 7955 views | Hayesender |
I joined the cadets while I was at the London oratory back in the early to mid 80's. Anyway, we went for a week long training exercise to Newquay, but during transit my kit got "lost".
I remember the bloke in charge of us taking me into town the day after we arrived to get me some clobber, but while I was trying some trousers on he came into the cubilcle and did a couple of things I was very uncomfortable with, even then as a 14 year old, and I told him in no uncertain terms to "get the feck off me".
A few days later apparently some money went missing from one of the dorms, and I was chief suspect because, get this, I yawned when we were being told about it.
This cnt made my week stay in Newquay hell, but I never told my old dear, because as I've said to her since, she wouldn't have believed me, such was the power of the Catholic Church.
All those years of Catholic schooling put me off religion for life.
Ps, Dario Gradi is guilty as fcking sin |  |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 19:27 - Mar 23 with 7926 views | loftboy |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 19:11 - Mar 23 by Hayesender |
I joined the cadets while I was at the London oratory back in the early to mid 80's. Anyway, we went for a week long training exercise to Newquay, but during transit my kit got "lost".
I remember the bloke in charge of us taking me into town the day after we arrived to get me some clobber, but while I was trying some trousers on he came into the cubilcle and did a couple of things I was very uncomfortable with, even then as a 14 year old, and I told him in no uncertain terms to "get the feck off me".
A few days later apparently some money went missing from one of the dorms, and I was chief suspect because, get this, I yawned when we were being told about it.
This cnt made my week stay in Newquay hell, but I never told my old dear, because as I've said to her since, she wouldn't have believed me, such was the power of the Catholic Church.
All those years of Catholic schooling put me off religion for life.
Ps, Dario Gradi is guilty as fcking sin |
That’s just brought a tear to my eye, how many more people were scared to tell their parents stuff incase they weren’t believed? | |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 08:40 - Mar 24 with 7662 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
Did anyone watch this 2nd part?
Shocking and very sad. | |
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| Football's Darkest Secret on 09:59 - Mar 24 with 7595 views | terryb |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 08:40 - Mar 24 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
Did anyone watch this 2nd part?
Shocking and very sad. |
Not yet 2T2B, but I will do. | | | |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 11:17 - Mar 24 with 7543 views | welwynranger |
| Football's Darkest Secret on 08:40 - Mar 24 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
Did anyone watch this 2nd part?
Shocking and very sad. |
I watched it last night.
Unbelievable that a jury would think that middle aged men would make up allegations like that 30yrs later.
And not believe them allowing that disgusting man to walk out of court.
As for Bob Higgins to have 10hours of questioning and not say a word.
Very hard to watch, but will watch the 3rd one tonight | | | |
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