Andy Woodward, Ian Ackley, Paul Stewart and Dean Radford are some of those who came forward to speak about the abuse they suffered as childrenWarning: This article contains accounts of sexual abuse.Last week, a long-awaited report into football’s biggest child sex abuse scandal detailed how the governing body and individual clubs failed to protect hundreds of boys from paedophile coaches.The 700-page, four-year Sheldon review said there were known to be “at least 240 suspects and 692 survivors” – with the actual number “likely to be far higher”.Since 2016, there have been convictions for abusers such as Barry Bennell, Bob Higgins and George Ormond.Now, in a new three-part documentary series beginning on BBC One, Monday 22 March from 21:00 GMT, some of those survivors talk harrowingly about the abuse they suffered as children – and the power of finally speaking out.Football’s child sex abuse scandal: Sheldon review finds ‘institutional failings’Andy WoodwardAndy Woodward helped other men come forwardWoodward was abused by Bennell between the ages of 11 and 15 at Crewe Alexandra academy.In 2016, aged 43, he decided to waive his anonymity in an interview with the Guardian and, shortly afterwards, spoke on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show. “It’s a dirty secret, but it’s also a hidden secret, deep inside you,” Woodward tells the documentary. “It’s like a stutter. Even if you want to say it, there’s something in your mind that stops you. That’s why a lot of people will take it to the grave.”I was suffering mentally because of what… Click below to read the full story from BBC Sport
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Football’s Darkest Secrets: Survivors of child abuse in football tell their stories
