Ex-England manager Taylor in ‘sex abuse cover-up’

THE late England manager Graham Taylor has been dragged into the football sex abuse scandal after it was claimed he was involved in a cover-up.

An independent inquiry heard that Mr Taylor was warned about the abuse of young players while manager of Aston Villa but discouraged a victim from reporting his ordeal.

The allegations centre on former scout, Ted Langford, who was convicted of historical abuse in 2007 for numerous offences over 13 years.

Langford, who has since died, was convicted of abusing four boys, three of whom were linked to the West Midlands club. One victim Tony Brien said he was abused many times by Langford while playing for a local team from the age of 12.

He was signed by Leicester City, aged 16, by the then youth team manager Dave Richardson on the recommendation of Langford, who was working for the club at the time.

When Mr Richardson joined Aston Villa as assistant manager in 1987, Langford went with him. Months later, Mr Brien said he called Mr Richardson to warn him about Langford and several conversations followed. He also claims he had a single conversation with the manager Mr Taylor (pictured) but was discouraged from going public with the allegations.

A document has now emerged that appears to show Langford was still working for the club two years later.

Giving evidence to the inquiry, Mr Brien said: ‘They discouraged me from going forward and never offered me a chance to go to the police or anything like that. I went into the kitchen at my mum’s and my mum said, “Well?” And I just said, “They just told me to sweep it underneath the carpet.” And I burst into tears.’ Mr Taylor died in January aged 72.