Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’d never heard anything about child sexual abuse in football until the allegations which have emerged during the last few weeks.

According to the police, around 350 victims have now reported abuse at a number of clubs, while former Crewe Alexandra youth coach Barry Bennell was charged with eight sexual assault offences against a boy under the age of 14 earlier in the week.

“In 41 years as an apprentice, a pro, a manager and a coach I’d never, ever heard anything, and I don’t think anybody else had,” McCarthy said.

“And I’m amazed now that the amount who seem to have suffered by it. And appalled as well.

“And I played with one of the lads and I played against another one of the lads and I can’t imagine what it was like to carry that around as a kid.

“I’ve got kids, I’ve got a grandchild and the thought of them being abused by anybody in any shape or form, certainly sexually, I’d be distraught about that.”

Photo: TWTD

Ipswich Town Polls