TRIBUTES FOR GP MISSING FEARED DEAD

Former Posh youth coach Bob Higgins denies 51 counts of abusing teenage boys

Popular doctor Robert in French holiday tragedy

A former Posh youth coach used his reputation as a “kingmaker” to act with “near impunity” as he carried out a widespread campaign of sexual abuse against teenage players, a court has heard.

Bob Higgins, who ran youth team coaching for Southampton Football Club and Peterborough United, is accused of using his position of “supreme power” to abuse the ambitious trainees, several of whom went on to become professional players.

The 66-year-old is facing a retrial at Bournemouth Crown Court accused of 51 counts of indecent assault against 24 complainants dating between 1971 and 1996, which he denies.

Adam Feest QC, prosecuting, told the jury the allegations against Higgins were made after ex-pro player Andy Woodward, of Crewe Alexandra, appeared on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme and spoke of the abuse he had suffered at the hands of another coach. The NSPCC set up a hotline to report abuse in football, and Mr Feest said Higgins’ name came up a number of times.

Mr Feest told the court Higgins was a “talented coach” who was “idolised” by the young players and described as a “kingmaker” because of the extent of his reputation and influence. He said one complainant viewed Higgins as ‘a father figure,’ and even described as being ‘like a god.’

But Mr Feest said it is claimed Higgins was carrying out ‘a campaign of abuse’ while coaching the young lads.

Mr Feest said: “This defendant manipulated those feelings and desires, making sure that in order not to feel left out, the young teenagers would join in with what was sexualised behaviour, their infatuation, their naivety, their age, making them blind to the real nature of what was going on.”

He added: “Once their trust had been gained and their devotion to him made absolute, this predatory paedophile with a sexual interest in young teenage boys was able to act with near impunity.”

Mr Feest said that the abuse was alleged to have taken place during training as well as during massage sessions, and also in the defendant’s car and home while some of the boys stayed overnight.

Higgins, of Southampton, Hampshire, denies all the charges against him and the trial continues.

Bob Higgins during his days at Peterborough United, and arriving at court during an earlier hearing