Former Newcastle United player Derek Bell speaks out about abuse

  • Sport

Former Newcastle United player Derek Bell has become the latest name from the sport to reveal he was sexually abused by one of his coaches.

More than 20 former players have now spoken out about alleged abuse, including former Toon Bell, who waived his anonymity on Wednesday.

Bell claimed he was abused by his coach between the ages of 12 and 16 in the 1970s, with the abuse taking place from the treatment room to Bell's own home.

More than a quarter of UK police forces are now probing allegations of historical child sex abuse in football.

Avon and Somerset, Essex and Norfolk Police are the latest to confirm they are investigating claims, bringing the current tally to 14.

Speaking to ITV News, Bell said his coach abused him in treatment rooms, in car parks and even in his own home.

He said: "He befriended my family. He got into their home. He said he would look after me, he would take me under his wing.

"He would make sure I got the right coaching and that I would become a professional footballer. But it would always be him who wanted to take control."

Bell said he has thought about the abuse "every day" since and needed therapy to help him cope with depression.

In later life he struggle with alcohol abuse and suicidal thoughts, Bell revealed.

Bell told BBC Radio 5 Live that on seeing his abuser again more than 20 years after the offences, he decided to try to kill him.

"I went to his house with a 12-inch knife hidden in my pocket, and I kicked his door in," he said

"Luckily for him, that evening, he wasn't in".

So far, police have received 250 reports and more than 50 calls were made to an NSPCC hotline set up for sexual abuse victims in football in the initial hours of opening.

A number of football clubs have become embroiled in the scandal - Chelsea have announced they have retained a law firm to carry out an investigation concerning one of the club's 1970s employees, who is now dead.