Court hears football coach '˜carried out a widespread campaign of sexual abuse' against his trainees

Bob Higgins, 65, is accused of using his position to act with ‘near impunity’ against the trainees, several of whom went on to become professional players.

He ran the youth team coaching for Southampton Football Club and Peterborough United, as well as the Maltese Football Association,

Higgins is on trial at Salisbury Crown Court accused of 50 counts of indecent assault against 24 complainants dating between 1971 and 1996.

Adam Feest QC, prosecuting, told the jury allegations against Higgins were made after ex-pro player Andy Woodward, of Crewe Alexandra, spoke of the abuse he suffered from an unconnected coach on TV.

He said this led to the NSPCC setting up a helpline, and commented: ‘The telephone started to ring and one name was mentioned over and over again – that is the name of Bob Higgins, this defendant.’

Mr Feest said Higgins was a ‘talented coach’ who was ‘idolised’ by the young players he trained.

He added: ‘During this time there was a much darker aspect to the defendant’s character and behaviour, an aspect which his footballing roles, and the power that came with them, gave him the opportunity to pursue and to indulge.

‘Throughout this period, this defendant was carrying out a widespread campaign of sexual abuse against many of those in his charge.

‘The young footballers came to idolise the defendant. He, in their eyes, held supreme power over their footballing futures, a fact which he made abundantly clear to them.

‘The boys realised they needed to impress their coach and particularly those, perhaps, with slightly less footballing talent, to keep in his good books both on and off the training pitches.

‘Once their trust had been gained and their devotion to him made absolute, this predatory paedophile with a sexual interest in young boys was able to act with near impunity.

Mr Feest said the abuse allegedly occurred in training, during massage sessions and in the defendant’s car and home while some of the boys stayed overnight.

Higgins, of Southampton, denies the charges.

(Proceeding)