Victims come forward
Reporter DOZENS more victims have come forward since a police probe into historical child sex abuse at North East sports clubs began.
Northumbria Police launched Operation Tide in December last year after several high-profile cases of ex-pros waiving their anonymity to speak out.
The probe originally focused on Newcastle United but has now been broadened due to allegations involving a range of sports.
In just four months, 37 victims have been identified, naming 10 possible suspects and involving 11 different clubs.
Former Magpies player Derek Bell bravely told how he was abused by football coach George Ormond while at Montagu and North Fenham boys football club in the 1970s.
And in light of the latest figures, the 53-year-old is urging other victims to come forward.
He said: ““It’s good to see the amount of people that have come forward, not just in the Northumbria Police area but nationally. It’s a difficult subject to talk about, but they have the support they need.
“The message I would have for anyone else who is a victim and who has not yet reported it, is you are not alone and the fact that 37 people have come forward so far proves that. And that’s in sport generally, not just football.
“The support mechanisms are in place for you. It is difficult coming forward but, for me, it was like having a weight lifted off my shoulders.”
Mr Bell, who later went on to manage Gateshead FC in 2002, described the four months since breaking his silence as “turbulent”.
He added: “We cannot change the past but we can change the future.”
Mr Bell started a job in Newcastle City Council’s housing department after his football career was cut short by injury and kept his torment a secret for two decades, until he discovered Ormond was working with youngsters at Newcastle United’s academy.
He went to the police several years later after seeing his abuser for the first time in 20 years in the grounds of an asylum hostel.
Ormond was arrested in 2001 and, a year later, was jailed for six years after being convicted of 12 charges of indecent assault and another of attempted indecent assault on seven different boys between 1975 and 1999.
Newcastle United’s vice life-president, Malcolm Dix, believes there are more victims yet to report abuse to police.
He said: “It’s great that people are coming forward after Mr Bell had first shown incredible bravery. To have it hanging over your head must be absolutely dreadful.
“The people who have done this cannot get away with it and it is imperative they are brought to justice. Other victims need to be encouraged to come forward.”
Anyone who has suffered abuse can contact the Operation Tide team on 101 or seek advice from the NSPCC on 0800 023 2642.