What the club has to say

Along with Higgins, another former Posh youth coach, Michael ‘Kit’ Carson, was also accused of abusing youngsters. Carson died by suicide in a car crash on the day he was due to stand trial.

A spokesman for Peterborough United said: “The club would like to reiterate that the safeguarding procedures in place at the football club are of the highest order.

cause of legal reasons, said he would have been happy to work with the club on their safeguarding measures.

He said: “No-one can ever put right what happened, but there are children and adults who need protecting. If I can bring a little insight and help to Peterborough on how to do that and what happened to me, I would. Bit it feels like I am being treated as a statistic.”

“We have worked closely with a charity partner, the NSPCC and have continued (and will continue) to educate players within our care.

“We are saddened that a number of players have suffered at the hands of an individual that has been employed at this football club and once again we offer an unreserved apology to all victims and survivors of abuse by Bob Higgins.”

The ex player didn’t tell anyone about what happened to him for years, before eventually telling his wife.

He said: “I was an apprentice when Bob came to the club.

“I had been away, and when I came back the club had changed. It was like a cult for some players, they were completely spellbound by him.

“He had an immense hold over them.

“He called me in one Sunday for extra training. I was the only player that was there. I was called into the office by Bob. He said all the other lads had been in and I was the last one. That is when he subjected me to sexual abuse.

“I never spoke to anyone about it. He would tell me that if I told anyone what happened he could cause a lot of harm as his brother was a gangster. I was frightened to death of him.”

Shortly after, the apprentice left the club.

He said: “I told my wife eight years ago, and then dialled the NSPCC number when it all started to come out.

“Some others came forward as well. Thank god he got put away for it.

“It was overwhelming when I saw 20 other players with their families at court.

“Our abuse should never have happened. He should never have been anywhere near the club.”