Football youth coach ‘sexually abused players’

A youth football coach in Newcastle sexually abused teenage footballers and would insist they did not wear underpants during matches, a court heard yesterday.

George Ormond, 62, denies 36 counts of indecent assault, one of indecency with a child and one of buggery. He was a youth coach for a prominent club in the city and went on to work at Newcastle United. The charges concern 19 complainants between a period of 1973 and 1998.

Sharon Beattie, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court, said Ormond was popular with parents and players.

The trial continues.