Club statement regarding Barry Bennell's conviction

And here's the story of one of the victims: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/15/barry-bennell-gary-cliffe-manchester-city

The headline and sub-headline of the article provide an idea of the contents

'There will be hundreds more,' says player Bennell abused on Maine Road pitch

Former Manchester City youth player Gary Cliffe, waiving his anonymity after the Barry Bennell trial, tells the Guardian how countless instances of abuse shaped his life and of his anger towards the club
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Question for the mods - should we now have a separate thread about Bennell, Jon Broome and City in the Bluemoon forum? There's obviously going to be a lot of fallout about that for the club specifically and people will want to discuss it.

This thread in the General Forum can then be left for other abusers in football who aren't linked to City and the issues facing the game more widely.
 
lancs blue said:
Horrible to read that article, it just seems symptomatic of the abysmal administration of the club in that period that there was so much obvious negligence in their duty of care for youth players.
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Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if some other clubs find some one like this in their past. Hopefully not, but checks are a lot more stringent to reduce this from happening, now.

Hat goes off to the lads who have come forward, as no matter what people would like to "think they would do", its usually a million times harder, when its actually you who has to do it.
 
People need to put all this in a historical context. In the early 70s clubs were not legally allowed to have u14s teams. Of course they did, but it was a very grey area. Abuse happened within these teams, as it did at schools, youth clubs, and Chuch. All unfortunately within my experience.

Those people who will be keen to criticize need to try and understand the historical context.

Whitehill though funded by Mcfc had little contact, with the teams, not trying to belittle the abuse in any way, merely trying to help younger people understand how it occurred so readily.
 
petrusha said:
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.
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Those articles make for a very difficult read. The scale and extent of Bennell's abuse is almost incomprehensible, and it is so tragic that so many young boys suffered as a result.

If the club were aware at the time, and even sought to cover up Bennell's actions as the Taylor article suggests, then it is reprehensible. You cannot right past wrongs, but it is at least a relief that the club are being so thorough with their own internal investigation, and that justice has finally been done. Presumably Bennell will now spend the rest of his life behind bars.
 
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