Peterborough United 'very sorry' over sexual abuse of young footballers by coach Bob Higgins

Peterborough United has offered an "unreserved apology" to all the victims of coach Bob Higgins who sexually abused schoolboy football players.

The 66-year-old from Southampton was found guilty last year of one count of indecent assault, and a further 45 counts in a retrial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The trials heard that Higgins abused his position of power over young players to take advantage of them for his own sexual purposes during his time running youth training programmes at Southampton and Peterborough United.

A statement from Peterborough United said: “As a football club, we recognise and understand that some of the players under our care were subjected to unacceptable abuse and for this, the club is very sorry."

Bob Higgins, a former youth coach at Peterborough United Football Club.

The statement from Peterborough United continued: “We first received an allegation against Bob Higgins in January 2013.

"We immediately reported this allegation to the Police, the FA, the Football League and the local authority and the case was taken on by Hampshire Police, who on the 8th July 2014, emailed our club secretary to confirm that following their investigation no further action was taken against Mr Higgins and Mr (Kit) Carson.

“We received one further complaint in 2017 which again we immediately reported to the relevant organisations. Since 2017, we have been working closely and provided our full assistance and co-operation with all regulatory and law enforcement agencies including the Clive Sheldon QC inquiry."

Bob Higgins is due to be sentenced.

The statement from Peterborough United continued: “The club would like to reiterate that the Safeguarding procedures in place at the football club are of the highest order. We have worked closely with a charity partner, the NSPCC and have continued (and will continue) to educate players within our care.

“We are saddened that a number of players have suffered at the hands of an individual that has been employed at this football club and once again we offer an unreserved apology to all victims and survivors of abuse by Bob Higgins.”