TIME FOR CELTIC TO GIVE UP IT’S SECRETS? Whilst updating my World of Sport Hall of Shame post I stumbled across a small mention of two men linked to Celtic FC youth football team and allegati…
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TIME FOR CELTIC TO GIVE UP IT’S SECRETS?
Whilst updating my
World of Sport Hall of Shame post I stumbled across a small mention of two men linked to Celtic FC youth football team and allegations of abuse, so I decided to look in to it. What I’ve read makes me very uncomfortable in so far as it comes across as Celtic attempted damage limitation and their PR screamed of an attempt to keep a lid on what seems to have been a hornet’s nest of abuse spanning decades.
I believe that behind these initial trials hides a massive web of depravity that needs further investigation. The lack of convictions and proper sentences stinks. Feel free to take this info and build on it. The victims involved were denied any real justice and it’s time to right a wrong. Either Celtic were extremely unlucky in regards to their staff’s sexual proclivities, or something more sinister was going on. The question is, who else was involved?
Celtic Boy’s Club
Founded in 1966, the Boy’s Club was a separate entity to Celtic FC but was allowed to affiliate via the name courtesy of Jock Stein. It went on to produce some good Scottish footballers. In 1998, Alan Brazil, James McGrory and David Gordon (three former members of Celtic’s Boy’s Club), gave evidence against
Jim Torbett (the Boy’s Club founder) during a trial where he was accused of abusing them between 1968-1974. Torbett was eventually found guilty of child sexual abuse at Glasgow Sheriff’s Court and was given a two year prison sentence.
Jim Torbett
Torbett was a successful businessman who founded the Celtic Boy’s Club aged just 20. The court heard that he was a predatory paedophile who would prey on young boys that he coached and invited them to his flat in Sighthill, Glasgow. Torbett ran The Trophy Centre which supplied goods to Celtic’s shop, had his own seat in the Parkhead director’s box and at one point looked set to become a director but plans fell through. Following his dismissal in 1972 following allegations of sexual abuse,
Frank Cairney was asked to replace him. Two years later (and after Stein’s departure) Cairney organised for Torbett’s return to the club to act as a fundraiser but not to have any contact with children. However, new allegations quickly surfaced.
Soon, more complaints were levelled against Torbett, including boys being taken to non-existent tournaments. One ex-boys’ club player said: “There was one in Spain when we never kicked a ball yet we were told to phone the sports desks of papers to say we won.
“I can remember lying that we played Real Madrid and Tommy Burns scored.”
Torbett’s companies:
- Centenary Scotch Whiskey Ltd
- Fairbridge in Scotland = this company is described as ‘social work activities without accommodation. Adventurous experiences to advance education and training of children, young persons, physical, mental and spiritual development and grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society, condition of need and hardship in United Kingdom. A registered charity, limited by guarantee‘. Included within the list of directors is Sir William McAlpine – brother of Alistair.
- Frank Cairney
Cairney joined the club in 1970 as a general manager and part-time coach. He resigned in 1991 following allegations of abusing the Celtic’s youth goalkeeper during a trip to New Jersey. Openly known as a molester in youth circles.
The Trial – November 1998
The seven day trial was held at Glasgow Sheriff’s Court in front of Sheriff Margaret Gimblett in November 1998. As well as Brazil, Gordon and McGrory, a fourth former youth player, John McCluskey.
John McCluskey... disclosed being abused by Torbett. Unfortunately the court could not hear his evidence as the abuse happened during a trip to Norway. McCluskey later said during an interview:
“My guilt and shame now is not for what happened that night. My shame is that I waited 23 years to do anything about it. “Dunblane was the one thing that made me come forward. If some of the boys abused by Thomas Hamilton had spoken out, perhaps the massacre might not have happened.”
Alan Brazil… told the court that following an assault at Torbett’s flat he never returned there. He then questioned whether his rebuff may have been the reason why he was never offered a contract with Celtic FC despite scoring a record number of goals for them. (Brazil went on to play for Scotland).
David Gordon… recounted how he was assaulted during his first visit to Torbett’s flat. It was following a second visit when Torbett made an indecent suggestion to him that Gordon decided to quit football for good.
Thats just a snippet from that link