The FA's child *** abuse inquiry?

[Rangersmandownunder]

Using this tragic abuse of young boys for point scoring is hideous but sadly its all some folk seem to have in their sad lives. It is better to pray for them.

I don't believe in God mate, but i see where your coming from, more to be pitied than scorned these posters, it's a tactic they use often, turn the thread into a point scoring exercise and it gets closed, ensures any open debate is suffocated and the perpetrators of these crimes continue with their vile trade and the victims continue to suffer, hopefully this time the genie is well out of the bottle and the basturts suffer whilst the victims can find some comfort at last.

[Rangersmandownunder]

How long has timmydice been living down south, just out of curiosity?

Put him on ignore mate, he's probably the most vile of the posters on here and best ignored.

[Taintedice]

Rolph the poolboy still getting upset at folk he's been ignoring all year. Looks like he's still not getting the message from other posters about using child abuse for his sick games. Also good to see doctor dimbo having his balls sucked by a vermin, usually it's the other way around.

[Rangersmandownunder]

STENCH OF FOOTBALL’S MONSTROUS COVER-UP
The child abuse scandal has shamed our national game. Here, the journalist who exposed the pedophilia at Celtic Boys Club says warning signs were willfully ignored... and blames greed for the obscene conspiracy of silence

Scottish Daily Mail 3 Dec 2016 By Anna Smith. Anna Smith is an awardwinning journalist and author.

IN the shadow of Celtic Park, I sat in a café as a former player spoke for the first time in 20 years about the ***ual abuse that ruined his life. Two decades of shame, confusion, torment and alcoholism came flooding out that summer evening back in 1996.

It is a moment that is etched forever in my memory for two reasons.

One is the anguish on the face of the man who had been one of legendary Celtic manager Jock Stein’s greatest hopes for future glory.

But here he was, a broken man in his late 30s, sobbing as he recounted the night his life was destroyed by *****phile Jim Torbett, one of his trusted coaches at Celtic Boys Club, the youth academy.

The second is that, as an investigative journalist, this was the defining moment when time was finally about to catch up with Torbett, a man who preyed on young boys, leaving their lives in tatters and their dreams crushed.

For a generation, he ***ually abused boys he coached and ‘bought’ their silence with promises of stardom.

Now, at last, the whispers and rumours that had engulfed Celtic Boys Club for 20 years could finally be exposed.

The day after my newspaper broke the story of the Celtic Boys Club *** abuse scandal, our switchboard was jammed with calls from men claiming they too were abused by Torbett.

Many of them were in their 30s. All of them were speaking for the first time about how they suffered abuse as young boys in the showers and in hotels at football tournaments in the 70s and 80s.

The abuse of young footballers at Celtic Boys Club had gone on for decades.

It emerged through these calls that a couple of years before our expose, there had been a youth tournament in America that had to be cut short after abuse allegations from a teenage player about a coach. Yet the alleged abuser stayed on with the club. It was all hushed up.

Now, at last, with this brave former player’s heartbreaking testimony, there was the chance of justice for the victims who’d had to live with abuse on a weekly basis as they tried to make their name in the competitive world of football.

Torbett was charged with indecent assault. He was convicted a year later, thanks to the testimony of the player I met in the café that night and others who came forward.

But even as Torbett was led away to begin his two-year jail sentence in 1998, there was the sickening feeling that this was only the tip of the iceberg. Now I know it was.

As we witness the squalid details unfold of claims surrounding other clubs, including allegations against former Crewe Alexandra coach Barry Bennell, it’s abundantly clear ***ual abuse in football was widespread – and completely covered up by the authorities.

Shame on every person who played a part in that cover-up; because for every abuse that was brushed under the carpet, the perpetrator went on to ruin other young lives.

No doubt many of those who ran football clubs are now scurrying for cover under the deluge of *** abuse allegations. But where were they when boys were being molested on a daily basis? It is the sad but undisputed truth that club chief executives and chairmen were greedy; too busy counting their profits, negotiating lucrative TV deals and sponsorships and raking in fortunes for shareholders.

They can wring their hands all they like now, and say there was no hard evidence, but the stark truth is they didn’t give a damn at the time. Football is driven by money. The clubs show obscene venality by turning a blind eye to abuse in the relentless pursuit of financial success. The children who played in their jerseys and in the name of their club deserved better.

The Scottish and English Football Associations are also to blame. If there was a whiff of a *** abuse scandal in any club, they would have heard about it. But they ignored the rumours. In doing so, they collectively failed a generation of young boys.

Bennell, 62, has now been charged with eight ***ual assaults against a boy under the age of 14. Cheshire Police is investigating allegations dating back to the 1980s, when he worked for clubs including Manchester City and Crewe.

Torbett was able to exploit vulnerable players because his victims were too afraid to speak out. They stayed silent for the reason that all abuse victims bottle up their suffering – because they don’t think they will be believed.

Over the years, I have interviewed dozens of abuse victims from all walks of life, from sport to the Catholic Church.

The common, tragic thread among victims was always that, because they didn’t do anything to stop it when it was happening, they may have somehow been compliant. So they are afraid to speak – and their lives become haunted by that fear.

*****philes are almost always in positions of influence and power – and their victims are children damned to a life of despair.

The grim reality is that there has been a continuing story of ***ual abuse over the generations, from sport to education to the Church. The most sickening truth of all is that, wherever there are evil people who abuse children, there have always been those in power who turned a blind eye or, worse still, covered it up.

At Celtic Boys Club, there had been whispers for years about children being abused. During my investigation, I spoke to

Hugh Birt, a former chairman of Celtic Boys Club, who had taken the abuse allegations to the Celtic hierarchy.

AT one point, Jock Stein physically kicked Torbett out the door and banned him from the club (he would later return after Stein’s death). What Stein should have done after he kicked him out was call the police. But he didn’t – because, as in so many organisations, reputation and image were paramount.

Never mind the fact that young lives have been trampled on by someone who should be behind bars. Keep it quiet and ‘in-house’ was the unspoken mantra.

In the Catholic Church, when there was evidence of abuse by a priest, the hierarchy simply moved him to another area; where, in most cases, the abuse continued. When it happened in football, a young victim speaking out would lead to him being dropped by the club and sent away, his dreams of stardom shattered.

[Rangersmandownunder]

Continued................

During my investigation, I spoke to one promising young footballer who claimed he was abused on a trip abroad. After he went public with his allegations, Celtic banished him .

He was left knowing he may have ruined his chances of making it big because he had tried to ‘out’ his abuser. Yet he was already ruined – and would carry the baggage of abuse for the rest of his life.

I found this many times with victims. They would agree to meet in secret, then spoke in hushed tones, as though ashamed of the abuse – that in some way they were to blame.

When I first approached the footballer who finally found the courage to expose Torbett, he initially denied any abuse had taken place.

I spoke to him at his home and he told me I had got it wrong, that he didn’t know what I was talking about. Hours later, I got a call from a friend of his, saying he wanted to talk. We met in the café at Parkhead Forge Shopping Centre. For the first time, he spoke about his years of abuse.

He told me about the night in Norway during a club tour when Torbett took him out of the dormitory while the others were in bed, with the excuse that he needed help to sort out the strips for the next day’s match.

It was then he was abused for the first time. When the 13year-old returned to the dormitory, his life had changed for ever. The abuse by Torbett made him confused, ashamed – and even though he managed to go on and play for Celtic’s first team in Europe, he carried the secret trauma all his life.

I was the first person he had ever told. Sadly, an injury cut his career short and he spiralled into alcoholism – but he was long recovered from that by the time I met him.

It was his courage in going to the police and making a statement that opened the floodgates for others to come forward – including former Scotland star Alan Brazil, who revealed he was abused by Torbett in his home.

More often than not, it is a newspaper that exposes a ***ual abuse scandal. But it’s extraordinarily difficult.

I had been investigating rumours about Celtic Boys Club for years, as had other journalists, but we were faced with denial after denial from the club. It is only because of the courage of victims who told us their story – and brave former footballers such as Andy Woodward and others now stepping forward – that we are able to expose it and pursue justice for the victims.

EXCUSES have always been made for the people in power in sport and in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. It has been said that we lived in different times back then. But what does that mean? Does that mean there is some justification for a cover-up? It should never have been about protecting the reputation and image of an institution – but the sad fact is that it always was.

As much as the shame for the Celtic Boys Club scandal lay with officials, the blame for the current one must lie at the door of the English FA. They are all guilty of doing nothing.

What angers me more than anything as I watch today’s events and look back at the Celtic scandal, is that this serial abuse could have been stopped years ago.

But football clubs are more interested in producing a boy who will bring them success and make them more money than in caring about the welfare of the children who follow their dreams.

When allegations first emerged every club in the English FA should have established a ‘safety net’ system to protect children. The same goes for Celtic when the abuse was exposed in the 90s. It was staring them in the face for years, yet they did nothing. They are guilty of criminal negligence.

It’s not enough to say they didn’t know, or they didn’t have enough evidence. If rumours of wrongdoing are circulating, clubs must make it their business to investigate.

But they were too busy counting their money and planning future successes to care about the lives that were being ruined.

Sadly, it has been left to the victims who have endured a lifetime of misery to be the ones to step forward.

It is by speaking out that they have made the biggest contribution of all in football – to ensure boys will be able to play the game they love and follow their dreams in a safe place.

[spameater1]

Continued................

During my investigation, I spoke to one promising young footballer who claimed he was abused on a trip abroad. After he went public with his allegations, Celtic banished him .

He was left knowing he may have ruined his chances of making it big because he had tried to ‘out’ his abuser. Yet he was already ruined – and would carry the baggage of abuse for the rest of his life.

I found this many times with victims. They would agree to meet in secret, then spoke in hushed tones, as though ashamed of the abuse – that in some way they were to blame.

When I first approached the footballer who finally found the courage to expose Torbett, he initially denied any abuse had taken place.

I spoke to him at his home and he told me I had got it wrong, that he didn’t know what I was talking about. Hours later, I got a call from a friend of his, saying he wanted to talk. We met in the café at Parkhead Forge Shopping Centre. For the first time, he spoke about his years of abuse.

He told me about the night in Norway during a club tour when Torbett took him out of the dormitory while the others were in bed, with the excuse that he needed help to sort out the strips for the next day’s match.

It was then he was abused for the first time. When the 13year-old returned to the dormitory, his life had changed for ever. The abuse by Torbett made him confused, ashamed – and even though he managed to go on and play for Celtic’s first team in Europe, he carried the secret trauma all his life.

I was the first person he had ever told. Sadly, an injury cut his career short and he spiralled into alcoholism – but he was long recovered from that by the time I met him.

It was his courage in going to the police and making a statement that opened the floodgates for others to come forward – including former Scotland star Alan Brazil, who revealed he was abused by Torbett in his home.

More often than not, it is a newspaper that exposes a ***ual abuse scandal. But it’s extraordinarily difficult.

I had been investigating rumours about Celtic Boys Club for years, as had other journalists, but we were faced with denial after denial from the club. It is only because of the courage of victims who told us their story – and brave former footballers such as Andy Woodward and others now stepping forward – that we are able to expose it and pursue justice for the victims.

EXCUSES have always been made for the people in power in sport and in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. It has been said that we lived in different times back then. But what does that mean? Does that mean there is some justification for a cover-up? It should never have been about protecting the reputation and image of an institution – but the sad fact is that it always was.

As much as the shame for the Celtic Boys Club scandal lay with officials, the blame for the current one must lie at the door of the English FA. They are all guilty of doing nothing.

What angers me more than anything as I watch today’s events and look back at the Celtic scandal, is that this serial abuse could have been stopped years ago.

But football clubs are more interested in producing a boy who will bring them success and make them more money than in caring about the welfare of the children who follow their dreams.

When allegations first emerged every club in the English FA should have established a ‘safety net’ system to protect children. The same goes for Celtic when the abuse was exposed in the 90s. It was staring them in the face for years, yet they did nothing. They are guilty of criminal negligence.

It’s not enough to say they didn’t know, or they didn’t have enough evidence. If rumours of wrongdoing are circulating, clubs must make it their business to investigate.

But they were too busy counting their money and planning future successes to care about the lives that were being ruined.

Sadly, it has been left to the victims who have endured a lifetime of misery to be the ones to step forward.

It is by speaking out that they have made the biggest contribution of all in football – to ensure boys will be able to play the game they love and follow their dreams in a safe place.

Generally avoid the TFT Child Abuse threads,but I can only say what a poor excuse for a Human Being you are.

[52N4E]

Generally avoid the TFT Child Abuse threads,but I can only say what a poor excuse for a Human Being you are.

Have to agree Spameater, Rolf's got a history of being banned for posting child abuse posts but the irony seems to be lost on him.

[Sevvy too 2]

"What Stein should have done after he kicked him out was call the police. But he didn’t – because, as in so many organisations, reputation and image were paramount."



And she knows this how? It's all well and good her telling us what he should have done many years after the event with all that info being said in front of her, but her or any of the Huns rubbing their nobs over this were not there, I personally cannot believe that if jock Stein had concrete proof he would have had him arrested.

[Kittybrewster]

Continued................

During my investigation, I spoke to one promising young footballer who claimed he was abused on a trip abroad. After he went public with his allegations, Celtic banished him .

He was left knowing he may have ruined his chances of making it big because he had tried to ‘out’ his abuser. Yet he was already ruined – and would carry the baggage of abuse for the rest of his life.

I found this many times with victims. They would agree to meet in secret, then spoke in hushed tones, as though ashamed of the abuse – that in some way they were to blame.

When I first approached the footballer who finally found the courage to expose Torbett, he initially denied any abuse had taken place.

I spoke to him at his home and he told me I had got it wrong, that he didn’t know what I was talking about. Hours later, I got a call from a friend of his, saying he wanted to talk. We met in the café at Parkhead Forge Shopping Centre. For the first time, he spoke about his years of abuse.

He told me about the night in Norway during a club tour when Torbett took him out of the dormitory while the others were in bed, with the excuse that he needed help to sort out the strips for the next day’s match.

It was then he was abused for the first time. When the 13year-old returned to the dormitory, his life had changed for ever. The abuse by Torbett made him confused, ashamed – and even though he managed to go on and play for Celtic’s first team in Europe, he carried the secret trauma all his life.

I was the first person he had ever told. Sadly, an injury cut his career short and he spiralled into alcoholism – but he was long recovered from that by the time I met him.

It was his courage in going to the police and making a statement that opened the floodgates for others to come forward – including former Scotland star Alan Brazil, who revealed he was abused by Torbett in his home.

More often than not, it is a newspaper that exposes a ***ual abuse scandal. But it’s extraordinarily difficult.

I had been investigating rumours about Celtic Boys Club for years, as had other journalists, but we were faced with denial after denial from the club. It is only because of the courage of victims who told us their story – and brave former footballers such as Andy Woodward and others now stepping forward – that we are able to expose it and pursue justice for the victims.

EXCUSES have always been made for the people in power in sport and in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. It has been said that we lived in different times back then. But what does that mean? Does that mean there is some justification for a cover-up? It should never have been about protecting the reputation and image of an institution – but the sad fact is that it always was.

As much as the shame for the Celtic Boys Club scandal lay with officials, the blame for the current one must lie at the door of the English FA. They are all guilty of doing nothing.

What angers me more than anything as I watch today’s events and look back at the Celtic scandal, is that this serial abuse could have been stopped years ago.

But football clubs are more interested in producing a boy who will bring them success and make them more money than in caring about the welfare of the children who follow their dreams.

When allegations first emerged every club in the English FA should have established a ‘safety net’ system to protect children. The same goes for Celtic when the abuse was exposed in the 90s. It was staring them in the face for years, yet they did nothing. They are guilty of criminal negligence.

It’s not enough to say they didn’t know, or they didn’t have enough evidence. If rumours of wrongdoing are circulating, clubs must make it their business to investigate.

But they were too busy counting their money and planning future successes to care about the lives that were being ruined.

Sadly, it has been left to the victims who have endured a lifetime of misery to be the ones to step forward.

It is by speaking out that they have made the biggest contribution of all in football – to ensure boys will be able to play the game they love and follow their dreams in a safe place.

You need help.

[stewarty27]

Generally avoid the TFT Child Abuse threads,but I can only say what a poor excuse for a Human Being you are.

RMDU you really are a vile subhuman !!! You have knowingly used this very serious subject of child abuse for your own personal agenda. That is to have a go at Celtic FC. That has become very clear over this whole thread. You were told this early on but choose to plough on. May I ask what it is you think you've achieved in starting this thread ? has the subject been debated in a mature manner ? I suppose in your warped mind its all ot5her fault this thread has descended into a rammy ? I guess you take absolutely no responsibility for that. It was YOU who started this thread and you have achieved the outcome you wanted. I have never ask for someone to be banned from this forum but I have really had enough of your obnoxious and repulsive setting up of people. You really really need to have a good look at yourself. !!!