Celtic magazine article ‘demolishes’ club’s abuse defence, claim lawyers — The Times and The Sunday Times
Celtic FC funded its scandal-hit feeder team and employed one of its key figures, prompting lawyers representing victims to claim it “demolishes” the club’s defence before a legal battle. Celtic Boys Club has been engulfed by allegations of systematic sexual misconduct over three decades...
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Celtic FC funded its scandal-hit feeder team and employed one of its key figures, prompting lawyers representing victims to claim it “demolishes” the club’s defence before a legal battle.
Celtic Boys Club has been engulfed by allegations of systematic sexual misconduct over three decades, prompting claims that it represents the largest child abuse scandal in British football.
Legal papers were lodged in June on behalf of a survivor who is seeking damages from the Parkhead club.
The test case is expected to be heard at the Court of Session within months.
Celtic FC is strongly contesting the claims, insisting the boys’ club was an entirely separate entity with which it had “historic connections”.
However, its stance appears to be contradicted by new evidence which confirms Celtic FC directly invested money into the feeder team and employed Frank Cairney, who headed the boys’ club, for two decades.
The ties between the clubs were confirmed in an article from Celtic View, Celtic FC’s official magazine, in April 1990. It confirms the boys’ club held its AGM at Parkhead and offers congratulations to Mr Cairney, the general manager, who was “in his 20th year on the Celtic staff”. Mr Cairney was quoted as saying that the work that was being done by him and his fellow officials was “appreciated by the people that matter at Celtic Park”.
The article also confirmed that Celtic FC had funded the feeder club, stating: “Honorary president Kevin Kelly said that Celtic FC chairman Jack McGinn and his board of directors were totally committed to the boy’s club and fully appreciated the tremendous service that Celtic received from them. He added that the board had already taken a decision to increase their support and investment in the boys’ club.”
An article in Celtic View two years earlier said the “Celtic directors, management and staff are fully committed to the Celtic Boys Club organisation”, adding “There is 100 per cent support from everybody at the club.” However, when questioned by The Times Mr McGinn insisted Celtic Boys Club was a “separate, autonomous body”.
In 1986 Celtic FC held an internal investigation into the abuse allegations which concluded they were false and “scurrilous”, clearing the coaching staff.
A spokesman for Thompsons Solicitors, which represents more than 20 individuals who claim they were molested at the boys’ club, said: “In Celtic’s own words, in their own official publication, a boys’ club official describes himself as a Celtic employee and the Celtic board of directors are happy to state they support and invest in the boys club.
“For anyone to contend that the two organisations were separate entities is clearly false and deeply insulting to all those who were abused as child footballers whilst under the care of Celtic.”
Mr Cairney replaced Jim Torbett, the founder of the boys’ club, who has twice been jailed for sex attacks. In January the Crown Office confirmed that Mr Cairney had been charged and was involved in a “live solemn case”. The Times understands that the charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of young people and that Mr Cairney, of Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, will appear in court within months.
Celtic FC did not respond to a request for comment.
