SUPPORT TRUST AXES ITS FOUNDER
FOUR MONTHS after the launch of OffsideTrust, set up to support victims of sexual abuse in football, the organisation is beset by internal problems. In February, it was announced that Andy Woodward, the trust’s founder and former professional footballer whose interview about years of systematic abuse rocked football to its core, was no longer a director. The split was reported as amicable and it was mentioned that Woodward would carry on as an ambassador.
Sportsmail understands that is not the case and that ‘amicable’ is far from the correct adjective to describe the break. While Woodward declined to comment for this piece, sources close to the former Crewe Alexandra, Bury and Sheffield United defender say he is ‘deeply hurt and upset’ at what has transpired. He is no longer an ambassador and has effectively been excluded from the trust. A reconciliation is not on the cards. The man whose bravery shone a light on the scandal tfeels like he has been booted out of his own attempt at legacy. Indeed, Woodward only found out that he had been removed from the trust when a third party mentioned it on Twitter. ‘The trust was Andy’s idea,’ a source said. ‘When he first came out his phone was ringing off the hook — that first month he was like a helpline.’ The source added that Woodward was still unsure over why he was no longer involved. ‘I don’t think he knows why this has happened,’ they said. ‘He feels let down by it. He feels isolated.’ There have been attempts to mend the relationship. ‘Andy has sent text messages and so has his partner but they have had no response,’ the source added. ‘It’s all incredibly sad. When all this started it was a whirlwind and everyone was all over the place. Now the dust has settled but Andy has been left on the outside.’ At a recent event attended by all, it was sad to see a noticeable split. The men sat apart and did not appear to speak throughout. Independent attempts at reconciliation have also proved fruitless. As part of the changes, Prosperity Law are also no longer involved. A potential conflict of interest was the elephant in the room — how could a trust potentially ask for funding from bodies such as the FA and Premier League when it may at one point be suing those organisations? In a statement to this newspaper, Prosperity Law confirmed that they are no longer part of the trust.