Paul Stewart has bravely revealed that he was sexually abused as a young footballer.
Speaking to the Mirror, the former England international, who played for Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, explained how a youth team coach attacked him from age 11 to 15 after befriending his parents and pledging to “make him a star”.
Not only that but the coach in question threatened to kill the footballer’s relatives if he ever told anyone about the abuse. The mental and physical anguish he must have gone through during this period beggars belief.
Now 52 years of age, Stewart fears there may be many more victims as concerns grow that a paedophile ring may have been operating in North West football at the time.
He has decided to speak about the horrendous child abuse after he read about Andy Woodward – who was abused by Crewe Alexander youth coach Barry Bennell in the 70s and 80s – and has done so in the hope that others will find the courage to do to the same.
He explains:
“I could never tell my team-mates. I was always under threat, if I was not playing well, he would threaten me with violence as well as sexual abuse. He was a monster.
“I have seen a counsellor, but I am resigned to the fact it will always be there and it is how I deal with it. I don’t sit around the house crying all the time, but tears are a release at times.
“I hope it will encourage others to find some kind of closure, to deal with it.
“I want you to help other victims bring these people to justice. Whatever walk of life they are in, I hope they are able to come forward.”
Incredibly brave.
Woodward, a former Bury and Sheffield United footballer, recently discussed the abuse he suffered at the hands of Bennell, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in 1998 after admitting sexual offences against six boys.
As well as prompting Stewart to speak out about his own experiences, the BBC report that six people have contacted police since Woodward went public.
