Man City ‘did nothing’ after they were told he was ‘dodgy’

MANCHESTER City have been accused of “ignoring” warnings about Bennell.

It is claimed a former youth coach at the club urged bosses to banish the pervert in the 1970s. But Bennell continued to be part of the set-up.

City’s former youth-team coach Steve Fleet told The Guardian: “People would say he was ‘dodgy’. He nauseated me. I just knew that the rumours were sound, that he wasn’t right.”

City have spent more than £1million on a review investigating historical allegations of child abuse.

The club said in a statement last night: “The review team has identified serious allegations of child sex abuse in respect of two identifiable individuals with potential historic connections to Manchester City. One of these individuals is Barry Bennell.

GRAVITY

“The second – John Broome – is deceased and is not believed to be linked to Bennell.” Broome is thought to have been a coach in the 1960s and 1970s.

The club said it would “exhaustively examine a number of reports of historic anomalous behaviours, no matter the level of gravity and strength”.

City asked for anyone who can help their probe to come forward.

Meanwhile, civil claims for damages have been launched by victims against Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra.

Bennell coached boys teams in the 1980s which provided youth recruits for City and was on Crewe’s coaching staff.

Three former junior footballers are suing City while one is planning to sue Crewe and the FA for damages, it was claimed during the court case.

Crewe issued a statement insisting the club knew nothing of Bennell’s abuse.