An ex-England schoolboy football triallist, today wept after telling the High Court that Barry Bennell had abused him and made it clear that he was not a kind person.
He now lives close to Glasgow and told a judge that his dreams of becoming a professional footballer were’sored’ by Bennell’s abuse.
The man told Mr Justice Johnson that he played football even though he had suffered at the hands Bennell, but that he’d rather fight than display his skill.
According to the man, the judge said that Bennell’s actions were the reason he became a less nice person.
I became more competitive playing football.
“I tried to hurt people, and it is embarrassing to admit that I played football again, but would prefer to get into a fight rather than demonstrate my abilities.
“I had a little secret.”
He now lives in Glasgow and told a judge his desire to be a professional soccer player had been ruined by Barry Bennell’s abuse. Pictured in 1995: Bennell
According to him, he participated in an England schoolboy trial. He was also approached by clubs like Tottenham and Leeds.
He claimed that he played in a Derbyshire team Bennell had coached as a boy.
Bennell, he said, was well-known for being connected to City. Boys from that team signed associate schoolboy forms.
The evidence shows that Bennell selected ‘the most decent lads from Derbyshire’.
According to one man, sometimes boys from Scotland or Wales could ‘turn up and play’ for the team.
He remembered his friend from the team, who later went on to train in Stoke City.
This was part of testimony that the man gave at today’s High Court trial in London.
The claims of eight young men in their 50s and 40s against Manchester City Football Club have been rejected by their bosses. After being abused sexually by Bennell in 1979-1985, the judge heard from them and they are now suing for damages. Photographed: Bennell’s scout cards
Judge Bennell was convicted for sexual offenses against children after he invited young footballers to his house.
In their 40s or 50s, eight men have filed damages claims against Manchester City Football Club.
According to them, Bennell, now aged 67, has abused them as schoolboys while playing in England’s north-west football leagues more than 30 year ago. They also claim that Bennell was City Scout at the time.
Judge Bennell has told the men that they abused them sexually and emotionally between 1979-1985. They are now suing for damages because of psychiatric injuries.
Six other players are also seeking damages for possible football earnings losses. Manchester City contests the claims.
Bosses claim that Bennell was an area scout during the 1970s, but was not active between 1979-1985.
Yesterday, another man testified at the trial. He said that Frank Roper was his father’s scout and that he had warned him. Roper was later convicted for sex abuse. Photo of Bennell (a former football coach and Scout for many years)
At yesterday’s trial, another man said to the judge that Frank Roper had warned his father. Roper is a former Blackpool scout who was convicted in sex abuse cases and is currently dead.
The judge asked him if he felt that Bennell was trustworthy after the warning.
He was an accomplished schoolboy football player and now he is in his 50s.
In a written statement, Johnson told Justice Johnson that Bennell had warned Roper to stop molestation of boys.
He stated that he could have confidence in Bennell (because he knew what Roper was).
According to the witness, Bennell displayed a magnetic personality and was favored by everyone.
Bennell said he was “attached” to City, and that he considered himself to have been playing for City.
Bennell, via video link, will be giving evidence later on in the trial. Picture: Bennell when he was a coach of football
He said that the name of his youth team was “kind of irrelevant”.
He stated to the judge that he felt he had an ‘opportunity’ to play for Manchester City and added, ‘I was playing in Manchester City.
“I was approached by a top-league professional team. Bennell was the right person to help me become a professional soccer player.
Bennell has a Manchester City club that you have.
According to Mr Justice Johnson, Bennell is currently serving 34 years in prison after being convicted on sexual offenses against boys in five different circumstances. Four of these were in the UK, one was in the US. He is being held at HMP Littlehey in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Bennell, via video link, will be giving evidence later during the trial.