DOWNFALL OF AN ENGLAND LEGEND

Beardsley ‘bullying’ not addressed despite 23 players giving evidence

PETER BEARDSLEY’S reputation will forever be tarnished and his career in football is surely over after he was found guilty of racially abusing Newcastle’s young black players. But, for many, yesterday’s verdict and seven-month ban is only half the story and leaves an unsatisfactory feeling that allegations of bullying have not been properly addressed — even though the FA’s commission heard that 23 players had provided evidence of Beardsley using insulting and foul language towards young players. That is what Beardsley has long been accused of in these parts, shattering confidence and ruining careers of aspiring footballers through a drip-feed process of negative, spiteful and belittling comments. Beardsley the footballer and Beardsley the person are separate entities and there should be no allowance for the vindictive latter on account of the former’s greatness. Sportsmail has heard enough evidence over the past 20 months since Beardsley’s suspension to be in no doubt as to the genuine nature of those who allege that the coach hindered their development and severely affected their happiness. Ross Gardner, a former England Under 17 captain, contacted Sportsmail last year when bullying claims against Beardsley emerged. For 16 years he had harboured anger and frustration that Beardsley remained coaching academy players after his own ‘nightmare’ experience. ‘I’d come home and go straight to my room,’ he said. ‘I didn’t want to speak to my mam and dad. They kept asking, “What’s wrong?” All I could say was, “It’s him, he doesn’t stop with me”. ‘It was the snide comments and humiliation. He’d say things behind your back. You think, “Why? I’m 17, he’s supposed to be helping me”.’ Gardner’s story was similar to that of a player whose mother contacted

Sportsmail to say her son ‘lost all confidence because of Beardsley’ and ‘wasn’t the same boy 15 years later’. The player called us to confirm the details but requested we did not use his story for fear of repercussions given his desire to be a coach. It was telling when the panel who found Beardsley guilty of the three racism charges recorded: ‘There is plenty of evidence that the young players for whom (Beardsley) was responsible during the years 2014 to 2018 were in awe of and intimidated by him.’ In evidence, one player said: ‘People are scared. Stuff has been said in the changing rooms, “Were you there? Did you hear that?”, and they say, “Yes”, but when you ask if they’ll say something, “No”.’

Sportsmail revealed earlier this year that the parents of seven academy players did raise concerns about the treatment of their sons in 2002, only for the club to side with Beardsley. It meant he coached until his suspension by Newcastle last January. How many young players have been affected by him in that time? And why does Beardsley now claim, incredibly, that Newcastle did not provide him with the relevant training? These are serious questions for the club to answer, especially as it was revealed they sacked him for gross misconduct.

Sportsmail can reveal one member of staff pleaded with the hierarchy to investigate Beardsley when whispers began circulating of his treatment of academy players in 2016. They finally did so once several brave youngsters came forward, eventually leading to his dismissal and yesterday’s verdict. It is remiss for the panel to state in conclusion: ‘We regret the outcome that we have felt compelled to reach. Mr Beardsley is a towering figure in football and his footballing reputation is beyond question.’ Why ‘regret’ when the evidence shows Beardsley to be guilty of racially abusing youngsters? This isn’t the dubious goals panel. There is no need for sorrow at holding an individual to account for reprehensible behaviour. Being found guilty of calling an African player a monkey is deserving of far more than a 32-week suspension. And why pander to this ‘towering figure’? That is part of the problem with Beardsley — the panel even said so themselves. They also referred to his ‘volte face’ after changing his story during evidence. The Latin translation is ‘to roll one’s face’. That just about captures Beardsley. As one coach told Sportsmail last year: ‘He’s not confrontational, he’s slippery. He’s great to your face, but behind your back he’ll be calling you.’ At least now, some of Beardsley’s character has finally been exposed. But, for many, it is not nearly enough.