Scandal a ‘wake-up call’ for the game

Prominent sporting figures in Fife and Tayside give their take on the abuse scandal gripping football

Fife football legend Jim Leishman has urged footballers to be “brave” and come forward with allegations of sexual abuse.

The honorary director of Dunfermline Athletic, who played for and managed the Pars and spent a further nine years managing Livingston, said he was “shocked and saddened” by recent revelations across the UK and appealed for victims, wherever they may be, to contact the NSPCC football helpline or someone they can trust.

“It’s understandable that at the time of the abuse they would have felt distraught, ashamed,” said Mr Leishman, 63, who has been moving in football circles since he was 11.

“But now that they have grown up a bit, they should be coming forward and doing what they can to protect other kids in football.

“Victims need to remember that they have not done anything wrong and deserve support.

“I am glad a police investigation has been launched.”

Mr Leishman, who has been provost of Fife since 2012, said he had never experienced abuse or been aware of anyone being abused in football during his more than 50 years in the game.

He was also not aware of any problems from his days as a Scout, being coached at primary school in Lochgelly as an 11-year-old or when he played for Townhill Boys’ Club.

He was picked up by Dunfermline at the age of 13 and again experienced “no problems”.

“Certainly among the boys I played with growing up, there was no indication of anything like that going on,” he said.

“There were never any suspicions. We were all young and never even thought about it.”

But looking back, he understands how abusers might have been able to take advantage of young impressionable players in the football system.

“The people who are doing this sort of thing have ways of doing it,” he added.

“These young footballers are desperate to be footballers, so coaches definitely have power over them.

“I was shocked to hear about it going on in the professional game. I can’t comment on the amateur game because I was not involved with that.

“But as a manager I would want to find out, to protect the kids.

“These abusers would have no place in my organisation. I’m glad there’s a national investigation on the go.”

Peter Davidson is chief executive of the Links Park Community Trust in Montrose, which was established in 2011 to utilise the power and widespread appeal of sport to inspire positive change among youngsters and other age groups.

The former Brechin City player, who became head of sports science at Inverness Caledonian Thistle and was in the management team at Dundee United a decade ago, said the recent abuse revelations across the UK were a “wake-up call” and a reminder there is no room for complacency in sport.

He said: “For the last 20 years, my passion for football has shaped both my personal and professional life, and I have been very fortunate to have been involved in all levels of the game, from juvenile to professional and everything in between.

“Not once, in all of that time, have I been subjected to, witness to or aware of any form of sexual abuse.

“I, and other sports providers, mustn’t allow such positive experiences however to develop into a sense of complacency with regards such issues.

“The recent stories are a wake-up call to us all, and we must ensure we implement and adopt stringent and fit for purpose safeguarding practices.”

Madras College school teacher Pete Beaver, 54, recently retired as head coach of Cupar Soccer Sevens/ Cupar Colts, which he helped found in 2000.

The Edinburgh-raised father of four grown-up children, who qualified as a teacher in 1988, said that as a children’s football coach for 20 years, he had “never even heard a whisper” of abuse within local youth football circles.

That said, he was “not unduly surprised” when news broke a few weeks ago that there had been abuse in the English game, and the revelations which have followed north of the border.

He said: “I think because we’ve heard about abuse cases nationally whether it’s been the Scouts, the priesthood or Jimmy Savile, I’m not unduly surprised to learn there have been cases in football. “It’s a societal issue at large.” Mr Beaver, who is a keen Hibs fan, said Cupar Soccer Sevens/Colts has had robust child protection issues in place for 10 years, led by the Fife Soccer Sevens Development Association and league.

The club has its own child protection officer and all coaches, who receive thorough training, have their backgrounds checked for criminal records through the PVG scheme.

“The only time we’ve ever really had to take any action was when there was a dispute between adults using antagonistic language to each other on the touchline,” he said.

He could not comment on whether he thought the reports so far were the tip of the iceberg because he had “not had second hand let alone first-hand experience” of the issues.

“I think football is probably no different to other sports,” he added.

“In fact it could be less of an issue in football than say boxing or athletics where youngsters get more one on one attention.”

And Mr Beaver said no one should forget the overwhelming positives that participation in sport brings to youngsters.

Victims need to remember that they have not done anything wrong and deserve support JIM LEISHMAN

The people who are doing this sort of thing have ways of doing it. These young footballers are desperate to be footballers, so coaches definitely have power over them. JIM LEISHMAN

Pictures: SNS/PA/ Universal News. Jim Leishman, right, said he was “shocked and saddened” by claims of abuse in football, which have included Barry Bennell, top right, and Hugh Stevenson, top left.