TAKE CHILD SEX ABUSE CLAIM TO THE LIQUIDATOR
Former Ibrox kid in bid for apology and compensation
RANGERS told an alleged child abuse victim to take his compensation claim to the liquidator, the BBC have reported.
The former youth footballer says he was sexually abused in Ibrox Stadium by Rangers coach Gordon Neely, head of youth development in the 80s.
But the alleged victim – given the name “David” by the BBC to protect his identity – has been told by lawyers for Rangers that the duty of care is not with the current owners.
They said that when the abuse took place, Rangers were owned by a different company who are now in liquidation.
The broadcasters said that in response to an email sent to David’s solicitors regarding his compensation claim, the club replied: “The company which owned Rangers Football Club … which you refer to as owing duties of care to your client will have been the company then called The Rangers Football Club PLC and now called RFC 2012 Limited.
“That company is currently in liquidation but we do have the liquidators’ contact details and can provide that.”
A statement from Rangers Football Club said they would “co-operate fully” with all those who had a “genuine interest” in seeking to protect children and “addressing the wrongs” of what had happened in the past.
They said the SFA and Police Scotland had been informed.
But the statement added: “We will not respond to questions that seek to turn allegations of desperate and deplorable conduct from three or more decades ago into cheap and nasty attacks on Rangers Football Club, and those of its employees who now have to attend to such difficult matters.”
Last year, the BBC revealed a catalogue of alleged abuse by Neely at clubs but he died in 2014 before facing justice. He was in youth development at Hibs in 1983, then moved to a similar role at Rangers in 1986.
That is where he came into contact with 11-year-old David.
In an interview with the BBC, David, who is now in his 40s, said it was his boyhood dream to play at Ibrox and he had trained at the club for three years. But he said his encounter with Neely had a terrible and lasting impact.
He said: “I was summoned to Gordon Neely’s room, within the confines of Ibrox.
“He asked me to lay up on a blue medical table and started rubbing my thigh, even though my injury was my hamstring.”
David said he was asked to stand up and take down his shorts and was then sexually assaulted by Neely. He added: “My life basically fell apart that night. Everything changed. The heart went out of me for playing football.”
The BBC reported that almost two years ago, Ibrox season ticket holder David spoke to a solicitor about the alleged abuse and was advised to make a claim against Rangers.
Rangers’ lawyers said the club offered their “deepest concern” but made it clear any compensation claim would be for the liquidators of the company who previously owned the club.
David told the BBC: “My issue’s always been that they may be a … different legal entity but they’re still the same club. And although they maybe don’t have the same liability legally, certainly morally, they’re still the same club.
“I’d like them to listen to me, realise the impact it’s had and get an apology off them face to face. That’s my real goal.”
We will not respond to questions that seek to turn allegations of desperate and deplorable conduct from three or more decades ago into cheap and nasty attacks on Rangers Football Club, and those of its employees who now have to attend to such difficult matters