Football’s Darkest Secret

BOXSET

Raw, unsensational and totally necessary, this unflinching three-part documentary about the sexual abuse of young boys by paedophile football coaches in the 1970s and 80s is at times very difficult to watch.

But looking the other way is not an option – as the film so powerfully asserts too many people did that at the time, enabling predators to continue abusing thousands more children.

In 2016 former professional footballer Andy Woodward gave an exclusive interview to the Guardian in which he talked publicly for the first time about being sexually abused while he was a trainee at Crewe Alexandra in the 1980s by coach Barry Bennell. Woodward’s courage in coming forward allowed others to speak out after years of silence and suffering – and the scale of the abuse was shocking. The NSPCC set up a special helpline and within days had received thousands of calls from all around the country. The film focusses on three abusers – Bennell, Bob Higgins at Southampton FC and George Ormond in Newcastle – but there were others.

Most importantly the filmmakers allow the victims to tell their stories. And as they give their testimony, it is heartbreaking to see the pain that is etched on their faces, still. This is something they have lived with every day since and will continue to live with for the rest of their lives. As one of them says ‘it doesn’t stop when the abuse stops’. Many turned to drugs and alcohol, none were able to fully enjoy their footballing careers.

Ultimately, justice is done, but not without huge emotional cost and certainly not soon enough. Let’s hope lessons have been learnt.

BBC/ ANDY BOAG TESTIMONY: Former youth footballer Lee Smith, one of many who came forward to speak about their abuse in the 1970s and 80s by paedophiles working as football coaches.