More footballers tell of sexual abuse

Four ex-footballers have appeared together in an emotional interview to tell of their torment after being abused as children by a coach.

Andy Woodward, who was the first to go public last week, wept as Steve Walters, Chris Unsworth and Jason Dunford spoke of being abused by ex-Crewe Alexandra coach Barry Bennell.

Mr Unsworth said he “never told a soul” that he was raped up to 100 times.

Cheshire Police said allegations have been made against more than one person.

Barry Bennell, 62, has served three jail sentences for child sex offences.

Since Mr Woodward’s story emerged, several ex-players have made allegations about being sexually abused by coaches as children – a number of them by Bennell, who is currently living in Milton Keynes.

A dedicated NSPCC hotline – 0800 023 2642 – was set up after the abuse claims came to light and has received more than 100 calls.

Cheshire Police said it had received a “growing number of disclosures” which included referrals from the children’s charity and allegations have been made “against more than one individual”.

The prime minister’s spokesman commended the former footballers for their bravery in speaking out and said the allegations deserved to be treated with “full seriousness”.

Mr Unsworth and Mr Dunford waived their anonymity to speak out for the first time on Friday.

Mr Unsworth, 44, said he “thought he had to come forward… and help everybody”, after his girlfriend showed him an interview on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme with ex-Crewe player Mr Woodward, 43.

He had been a youth player at Manchester City with Bennell before moving to Crewe with him when he was about 12 in the mid-1980s.

— BBC.