Club statement regarding Barry Bennell's conviction

[aguero93:20]

People need to put all this in a historical context.

No, we don't, the club fucked up big time and will have to deal with the consequences. There's no "but" with things like this.

 

[ArdwickAlbert]

As did I re Platt Lane and that particular Boys Brigade outfit.

The guy in question was a senior copper and used to take a few to Sharston Baths.

It did not surprise me in the slightest when it emerged he had been doing what he had for years.

Poor kids.

Bang on re Gus and Ralph, great coaches and lovely fellas.

I went to that Boys Brigade too. Mr Macintosh had a big Land Rover everyone got in. I got on the team because he'd seen me playing on Whalley Range playing fields which I found a bit strange given we only used to nick over the fence for a kickabout, not proper games.

When he got sent down, my sister rang to check if we'd been abused by him (she was a prison officer). Didn't actually know anyone who had, nor were there rumours that I recollect.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I want to that Boys Brigade too. Mr Macintosh had a big Land Rover everyone got in. I got on the team because he'd seen me playing on Whalley Range playing fields which I found a bit strange given we only used to nick over the fence for a kickabout, not proper games.

When he got sent down, my sister rang to check if we'd been abused by him (she was a prison officer). Didn't actually know anyone who had, nor were there rumours that I recollect.

That's spooky.

I didn't give a fuck about the Boys Brigade but my mate who went told him I was a good footballer and he invited me to play.

I scored a couple on my debut on Wilbraham school field and then he took us all to Sharston Baths.

He was grabbing kids in the pool but I knew it was weird and kicked the bastard well away.

I think these predators know who to prey on.

 

[stan bowles]

Shameful that so many young lives and the families of those affected have been blighted by this man's actions. Perhaps someone can answer for me (apologies as I know little about his time at City other than what's in the news):

Was Barry Bennell actually an employee of Manchester City ? How long was he employed or working for Manchester City as a youth team coach ? When was he working for City (which years ?)

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

I know this is a serious and harrowing subject, but I have to say - that part of your story did make me smile. Glad to know it - eventually - had a happy ending! :)

Back on topic, City's statement says that the club's review has uncovered "serious allegations of child sex abuse in respect of two identifiable individuals with potential historic connections to Manchester City", and Bennell is the first of them. The other guy is called John Broome; he's "deceased and is not believed to be linked to Bennell". I don't know who Broome is, and I haven't been able to find out much by Googling. All I can find are media stories from today reporting that City named him in their statement. Is anyone aware who he was and how he may have been with the club?

Just another sick chancer by the sound of it pal.

 

[Bozzie]

As did I re Platt Lane and that particular Boys Brigade outfit.

The guy in question was a senior copper and used to take a few to Sharston Baths.

It did not surprise me in the slightest when it emerged he had been doing what he had for years.

Poor kids.

Bang on re Gus and Ralph, great coaches and lovely fellas.

Don Mackintosh was a Sergeant in GMP, he'd worked mostly around the Moss Side area before becoming a training officer in the Cadet department which was where I met him. Within the cadets there was absolutely no indication of anything amiss about him, we were probably too old for his taste and several would have dropped him on the spot without too much bother had anything happened. When I first heard about it (after I'd left GMP) I tried to think back and recall any sort of suggestion that he was a child abuser and there was nothing, he was, from memory, probably the most liked of the staff. I doubt any of us knew of his other outside interests, Boys Brigade, Church Elder etc. It would be interesting to know if there were any rumours floating around those places at the time? The fact that he was able to continue with a fairly successful career in the Police just highlights how easy it was for people of his type to operate without too much fear of being caught in the 70's. He committed suicide a few years back after being accused of further historical abuse offences.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Shameful that so many young lives and the families of those affected have been blighted by this man's actions. Perhaps someone can answer for me (apologies as I know little about his time at City other than what's in the news):

Was Barry Bennell actually an employee of Manchester City ? How long was he employed or working for Manchester City as a youth team coach ? When was he working for City (which years ?)

As far as I can see he was never an employee. He applied for a job but some people at City, primarily Steve Fleet, weren't happy about him & had heard things so he wasn't taken on. But he seems to have had close connections to the club.

 

[stan bowles]

Here's a long piece by Daniel Taylor headlined "Barry Bennell: the predatory Pied Piper who made stars and shattered lives": https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-abuse-manchester-city-crewe?CMP=share_btn_tw

And the story of David Lean, another survivor: https://news.sky.com/story/barry-be...ttle-star-then-groomed-and-abused-me-11237797

Horrific.

I played against John Sheridan when I was 12 in a school game. Makes me wonder if Bennell was watching the game. Some of the stories in this article make gruesome reading.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

Shameful that so many young lives and the families of those affected have been blighted by this man's actions. Perhaps someone can answer for me (apologies as I know little about his time at City other than what's in the news):

Was Barry Bennell actually an employee of Manchester City ? How long was he employed or working for Manchester City as a youth team coach ? When was he working for City (which years ?)

The fiend wasn’t an employee but he ran an unofficial City schoolboys team. He got perks like free tickets to City games and was held in awe by families of promising youngsters because of his reputation as a “star maker”.

 

[lancs blue]

Shameful that so many young lives and the families of those affected have been blighted by this man's actions. Perhaps someone can answer for me (apologies as I know little about his time at City other than what's in the news):

Was Barry Bennell actually an employee of Manchester City ? How long was he employed or working for Manchester City as a youth team coach ? When was he working for City (which years ?)

He was involved with a junior football club Whitehill FC in the late 70s/early 80s. At the time professional clubs couldn't sign young players before their 14th birthday so many senior clubs had a loose affiliation with some of these junior teams, providing kits etc in return for first option on any promising youngsters. That's how the connection with City started.

He was never officially employed by MCFC but he did have fairly easy access to the Platt Lane training ground via his contacts at the club. His association with City ended in 1984.

 

[OB1]

As far as I can see he was never an employee. He applied for a job but some people at City, primarily Steve Fleet, weren't happy about him & had heard things so he wasn't taken on. But he seems to have had close connections to the club.

He doesn't appear to have been an employee of the club but he may have been paid some expenses. No doubt City's costly inquiry will reveal more about his relationship with the club.

The suggestions seem to be that some people at the club were taken in by the guy; unlike Steve Fleet, who seems to think that Ken Barnes, for instance, was simply naive.

The big question mark against City, as far as I can see, surrounds when they cut ties with Bennell: what prompted that and should they have done something more at that point?

I trust that Bennell will never see the outside of a prison again.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I think these predators know who to prey on.

Not sure I understand that comment. Care to expand?

 

[worsleyweb]

That's spooky.

I didn't give a fuck about the Boys Brigade but my mate who went told him I was a good footballer and he invited me to play.

I scored a couple on my debut on Wilbraham school field and then he took us all to Sharston Baths.

He was grabbing kids in the pool but I knew it was weird and kicked the bastard well away.

I think these predators know who to prey on.

I knew him very well over many years and in fact he signed my passport back in the day. Lads I know to this day were abused by him. He was known for it and used to open cuddle kids and touch even in front of others. The fact he was charasmatic and a cooper made him untouchable at the time.

He was facing a further 5 years in 2014 and topped himself in staleybridge. I did a google search on him today and it didn’t take long to show links to Cyril Smith and cover ups.

Thankfully I hope and think it wouldn’t happen today. Kids and parents are too aware.

Hopefully this Bennell suffers for what he has done.

Aside from the lifelong damage he will have done to the poor kids, like I say he tarnishes thousands of decent coaches giving up free time up and down the country.

Perverted evil man.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

I played against John Sheridan when I was 12 in a school game. Makes me wonder if Bennell was watching the game. Some of the stories in this article make gruesome reading.

Maybe but there were lots of lads who were keen to play for Whitehall / White-star because of the tie in with City. He wouldn’t need to scout too hard. The players and heir families weren’t aware Bennell was a nonce and he wouldn’t have needed to try very hard to sign them up.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Channel 4 at 23.00 a Dispatches special on him.

 

[Chappie]

Yes - thankfully killed himself when he was facing up to yet more charges.

And if I remember rightly he was a senior policeman and a highly respected person in the area at the time.
And the annoying thing was everyone knew but no one did anything.
And this is what these type of people do,gain everyone's respect and then abuse the young and when anyone speaks out its the same old story " he wouldn't do that" it's only kids making it up"
Hopefully we now live in more enlightened times and have learned from past mistakes

 

[lancs blue]

And if I remember rightly he was a senior policeman and a highly respected person in the area at the time.
And the annoying thing was everyone knew but no one did anything.
And this is what these type of people do,gain everyone's respect and then abuse the young and when anyone speaks out its the same old story " he wouldn't do that" it's only kids making it up"
Hopefully we now live in more enlightened times and have learned from past mistakes

That was a problem with this country in those days, too much deference shown to people in positions of authority, it's how not just paedophiles but bent coppers and corrupt politicians got away with so much.

 

[schfc6]

Not sure I understand that comment. Care to expand?

From my limited reading on the subject. It's common for predators to pick on a certain character. An isolated kid who's unlikely to 'tell' and even if they do tell, it's unlikely to be believed. A predator will use blackmail/threats against a family member or likely in this case the likely hood of progression in football.
It's thought that predators know their prey as disgusting as it sounds. It's not always the meek or lonely kid, it's often the troubled kid, a kid from a difficult background, a predator will build up on the outside what looks like a perfectly healthy & supportive relationship, something a kid is often missing. The then take advantage of that.

This is a disgusting character who's obviously used boys dreams of being a footballer to facilitate his sickness.

As many have said, a nonce back then was the weird guy wearing a flasher Mac, suspecting people in positions of trust or power was unlikely, confronting/accusing them was never done.

I suspect like the BBC & Saville, this will be the tip of the iceberg. It's frankly disgusting.

 

[paulchapo]

I just watched Bennell being interviewed as he was led away to serve a sentence in the states for abuse. When he was asked if he had anything to say to the child he abused he laughed and sneered, " What child? He was 14 and as big as me" What a fucking vile monster he is! I hope he suffers every single day and never sees the world outside a prison again.

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

That was a problem with this country in those days, too much deference shown to people in positions of authority, it's how not just paedophiles but bent coppers and corrupt politicians got away with so much.

and priests.