Celtic face threat of multimillion pound compensation claim(The Times)

Humbug said:
Has Cullens address given here considered bonafide? Shawbridge Street Pollokshaws, as we all know, was also the address for the Trophy Centre.
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His address was 215 Shawbridge street, right next to shawbridge police station. On the other side of the police station was shawbridge industrial estate where the trophy centre was. After the flats were torn down he moved to a new build house in Merrylee.
 
Ced_The_Ted said:
His address was 215 Shawbridge street, right next to shawbridge police station. On the other side of the police station was shawbridge industrial estate where the trophy centre was. After the flats were torn down he moved to a new build house in Merrylee.
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Does it live shawbridge st or ? over in merrylee?
Coupla mates have family in near vacinity.
Youngish kids included
 
Theoldgeezer said:
Does it live shawbridge st or ? over in merrylee?
Coupla mates have family in near vacinity.
Youngish kids included
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It moved to Merrylee after the flats in pollokshaws came down. No idea if he’s still in the Merrylee area.

just remember the beasts family growing up in pollokshaws. His manky wife in her green and grey hoops used to torment us for supporting rangers if we had a bad result.
 
I have just skimmed through that report. While there are number of times that Celtic FC has been redacted, anyone who has followed this thread will know where, I feel that the agenda is being set in the first few pages.

Attributing blame and engaging in a finger-pointing exercise is not helpful and is almost always unproductive, …
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Children and young people were harmed because of the actions of individuals
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Also on P31 the second para does not make sense or, at least,confuses me
 
Grigo Yossarian said:
6yrs & 9mths for McCafferty for 10 victims lives ruined.

10yrs for 2 here.

Why ?
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John Cullen - the official photographer for Celtic View for almost 30 years - admitted taking indecent photographs of boys as young as ten. Cleaners found a black bag containing over 200 black and white images of naked and semi-naked boys in a store room at Parkhead.
Cullen was given a three-year probation order.

Former Celtic Boys Club chairman Gerald King was convicted of five charges of using lewd and libidinous practises towards five victims between August 1984 and April 1989. He was also found guilty of taking indecent pictures of children in February 1987.
King was given a three-year probation order.
 
Theoldgeezer said:
Spotlight WILL NOT ALLOW any carpet to be lifted!!!
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I intend no disrespect, but, as a fairly new member of FF, I cannot imagine that you are so completely au fait with the inner workings of Spotlight that you can make such an emphatic statement.

All of us sincerely hope that Spotlight will finally expose these paedos and obtain justice for those abused, but these bastards have skillfully avoided detection for so long that, unfortunately, nothing can be taken as read. As a rapidly aging Bear, I hope I'm still around to see appropriate justice served.
 
Posted this in the other thread, now that the report has been published and mentions Rangers, the club should issue a statement saying ;

If anyone was sexually abused while in the care of Rangers (or our youth department) we would like to publicly apologise to them and offer suitable financial compensation.
 
wontoofree said:
I intend no disrespect, but, as a fairly new member of FF, I cannot imagine that you are so completely au fait with the inner workings of Spotlight that you can make such an emphatic statement.

All of us sincerely hope that Spotlight will finally expose these paedos and obtain justice for those abused, but these bastards have skillfully avoided detection for so long that, unfortunately, nothing can be taken as read. As a rapidly aging Bear, I hope I'm still around to see appropriate justice served.
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We will wait and see then.
Covid is obviously slowing things down legally I imagine, however I have the utmost faith in Spotlight's team.
BN94 told us not so long ago that there is GLOBAL interest from many journalists etc., but due to court proceedings, not a lot can be reported in various ways.
Have faith in the Spotlight team.
 
johnkp said:
John Cullen - the official photographer for Celtic View for almost 30 years - admitted taking indecent photographs of boys as young as ten. Cleaners found a black bag containing over 200 black and white images of naked and semi-naked boys in a store room at Parkhead.
Cullen was given a three-year probation order.

Former Celtic Boys Club chairman Gerald King was convicted of five charges of using lewd and libidinous practises towards five victims between August 1984 and April 1989. He was also found guilty of taking indecent pictures of children in February 1987.
King was given a three-year probation order.
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They go on the register though - right!
 
apple.news

Scottish football clubs must offer compensation to victims of historic sexual abuse — The Times and The Sunday Times

Scottish football clubs, including Celtic, Rangers and Hibernian (Hibs), must offer compensation and a “clear, unreserved and public” apology to victims of sexual abuse that blighted the national sport, an official report has said. The Scottish FA’s Independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish...
apple.news apple.news


Scottish football clubs, including Celtic, Rangers and Hibernian (Hibs), must offer compensation and a “clear, unreserved and public” apology to victims of sexual abuse that blighted the national sport, an official report has said.


The Scottish FA’s Independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football, ordered in 2016, has today finally published its devastating findings. Dozens of survivors who endured “incalculable” suffering came forward to give evidence against paedophiles who preyed on vulnerable young players over three decades.


The review authors were shocked at how easy it was for these men to use their status and “good standing” to infiltrate Scottish football and gain unfettered access to children, who received little or no support from those tasked with protecting them.


“The price they have paid has often been lifelong, frequently serious and sometimes catastrophic,” the report said. “The collateral damage caused to their relationships, their employment, their physical and mental health and their social wellbeing is incalculable.”


The review also found that:


* Former senior figures at Celtic FC were likely to have been aware of the historic abuse taking place with its feeder club but the authorities were not alerted.


* No evidence could be found to corroborate Rangers FC’s claim that they contacted the police after sacking a paedophile youth coach in 1991.


* The Scottish FA turned its back on a man who confided that he had been raped as a boy by a top-flight assistant referee and sought help in seeking justice.


* Known paedophiles worked together to groom boys and trafficked them over UK and international borders for abuse.


* An abuser took boys to a hostel in England where they were forced to barricade themselves in a room after being presented to a group of naked men.
 
The review stressed it was not able to attribute culpability or liability — saying that was a matter for the courts — but insisted those who failed to protect the young should now be held accountable.


It said: “Although we are clear that the direct responsibility for the alleged abuse of these young people and the consequent harm lies with the men who perpetrated or are said to have perpetrated these acts, we are also very aware of the accountability which lies with clubs and organisations in football since these shared a duty of care to the young people in their charge.”


It called for all clubs and organisations involved to make a “clear, unreserved and public acknowledgment and apology” to the survivors of sexual abuse.


“This apology should be on behalf of the club/organisation itself as well as the wider football family,” it said.


“Furthermore, clubs and organisations concerned should openly acknowledge the impact of these events on those affected and the enduring effect this has had on them (and their families) into their adult lives.”


“Acknowledgement and apology do not eradicate the harmful events or the pain that has resulted.


“But for many this will be a starting point for reconciliation and for healing and this is of vital importance.”


However, it concluded that simply saying sorry was insufficient and that a “more concrete response”, involving financial compensation, is required.


It said: “To support people who have experienced sexual abuse in Scottish football is an emphatic and constructive testimonial to their experiences and a tangible way of making reparation.


“The Review concludes therefore that Scottish football should consider how this can best be done, including consideration of the creation of a fund which might underwrite support and assistance for those who have been personally affected by sexual abuse in Scottish football and indeed those in Scottish football who are experiencing other mental health challenges and issues.”


The authors suggested that commercial donors or sponsors might also be “contributed to or underwritten by commercial donation and sponsorship”.


The findings will put further pressure on Celtic and Rangers, as well as other senior clubs — named in the report — including Hibernian, Motherwell and Partick Thistle, to accept responsibility for historic sexual abuse.


While expressing “regret and sorrow” for the victims, Celtic FC has insisted it is not legally culpable for abuse at Celtic Boys Club, insisting it was an “entirely separate organisation” with which it had historic connections.


However, the review concluded that senior clubs could not distance themselves from past abuse at “inextricably” linked feeder clubs.


It states: “In those days the ties between those community-based youth football clubs and the senior professional club were clear and strong.


“The relationship was strongly established to the point that officials of both clubs often knew each other well and interacted; officials of the senior club were often involved in the activities and profile of the community football club; the senior club would allow the youth football club to freely use its premises and facilities; branding, badging, colours and strips were often similar or identical.


“The Review is of the view that, if the relationship and history between the youth football club and the senior club was so shared, so close, and so inextricable, then when sexual abuse of young players formed part of the history of one then it too formed part of the history of the other.


“A shared heritage is not confined to trophies, victories and celebration; it also extends to defeats, failures, and deficiencies.”


A number of men who held senior roles with the boys club have been convicted for sexually abusing children and teenagers. Among them are Jim Torbett, who founded Celtic Boys Club in 1966, who has twice been imprisoned for attacking young boys between 1967 and 1994.


Testimony from his victims appears in the report.


Torbett had two stints at the club, the first from 1966 and 1974 and the second from 1978 to 1996.


Hugh Birt, a former boys club chairman gave evidence at Torbett’s first trial in 1998 that he was kicked out by Jock Stein, Celtic FC’s manager, after allegations of abuse emerged.


The report records it concern about the circumstances, stating: “The Review concludes, from the accounts received that it is possible that a number of people in Scottish football may have had some suspicion regarding (Torbett’s) alleged activities at the time including former managers at Celtic Boys Club; a former senior manager and a former board member at Celtic FC at the time; and a group of young players at Celtic Boys Club.”


The authors said they had been unable to confirm whether the police had been informed, adding: “The Review finds it concerning that (Torbett) was permitted to return to Celtic Boys Club in another capacity after only a few years.
 
The report also makes it clear that clubs should not attempt to use changes of commercial ownership or status to evade responsibility.


In 2018 an alleged victim of paedophile Gordon Neely, who worked as head of youth development at Rangers’ ground, Ibrox, between 1986 and 1991, was told he should pursue his complaint with liquidators.


The former youth footballer was told by lawyers that Rangers were owned by a different company when the abuse took place and that duty of care was not with the current owners.


An email sent to his solicitors said: “The company which owned Rangers Football Club . . . which you refer to as owing duties of care to your client will have been the company then called The Rangers Football Club PLC and now called RFC 2012 Limited.”


The review challenges this type of stance, stating: “The Independent Review considers it inadequate for clubs or organisations to avoid this issue because, in the intervening years, they have changed their governance, their name or their company status or ownership.


“The ethical obligations remain and are uninterrupted irrespective of intervening administrative, constitutional or commercial changes.”


Although the review panel possesses no legal authority to enforce its findings, clubs will find its conclusions difficult to dismiss.


The report notes that Neely, who died of cancer in 2014, was immediately dismissed by Rangers in 2011 after a parent complained after he pulled down his son’s underwear and pulled him over his knee. Rangers have repeatedly insisted they also informed the police, but investigators were “unable to confirm” whether this was the case.


Two other former Rangers youth players came forward to state they were sexually abused by Neely at Ibrox, but did not tell anyone at the time.


The report also contains testimony from a man who was raped by Neely at Hibernian’s stadium and training ground. It said parents had raised concerns about his conduct but there was no evidence that any action was taken, or warnings issued, before he went on to join Rangers.


The report criticised the Scottish FA for failing to do more to help Pete Haynes when he came forward to report that he had been sexually abused by Hugh Stevenson, a former youth coach and assistant referee, in the late 1970s and early 1980s.


Mr Haynes, who waived his right to anonymity, asked for assistance in getting justice for the abuse that blighted his teenage years and later life, but little was done.


The report backed him and concluded the Scottish FA’s actions “fell short of the appropriate action that could have ensued from such a report or concern being raised”.


The report also contains allegations that Jim McCafferty, a former Celtic FC kit man and boys club coach, who is now serving a lengthy jail sentence, smeared toothpaste and boot polish on to the genitals of a naked boy as part of an “initiation ceremony” during a trip to Austria with the junior club Fauldhouse Juveniles.
 
The review confirmed it had received reports that abuse was carried out by paedophiles who worked together to abuse and traffick boys.


“The contributors provided information concerning possible organised sexual abuse and sexual exploitation,” it said. “This included allegations concerning the introduction of young players between adult men for sexual purposes across borders under the guise of football activity.”


It added: “The Review heard accounts from more than one contributor of a team visit to England where the boys stayed, with a coach, in a hostel. The boys were taken to a swimming pool where a number of adult men were present and who were walking about naked.


“Later, when these boys had returned to their sleeping accommodation, some of these adult men attempted to enter their room and the boys, all young teenagers, were forced to barricade themselves in to protect themselves.


“This was a very frightening and disturbing event and can also be seen as part of a process of desensitisation of these young men. “


The review noted that it was aware of circumstances where “adults involved or alleged to have been involved, knew other adults who were subsequently charged and/or convicted or named in allegations concerning sexual abuse in football both in Scotland and England.”


It concluded by calling for the introduction of “consistent and continuous measures to improve the protection of young people and the reduction of risk”, adding: “These accounts alone should be enough to inspire and motivate change without question or inertia.”


Rangers have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.


The club previously issued a statement which said: “It is understood the individual was dismissed immediately and that the police were informed.


“All employees adhered to the strictest codes of conduct.”


Celtic FC and Rangers FC have been approached for comment.
 
Theoldgeezer said:
We will wait and see then.
Covid is obviously slowing things down legally I imagine, however I have the utmost faith in Spotlight's team.
BN94 told us not so long ago that there is GLOBAL interest from many journalists etc., but due to court proceedings, not a lot can be reported in various ways.
Have faith in the Spotlight team.
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I do have complete faith in the Spotlight team.
 
warfieldranger said:
I notice that the end of each section listing these terrible activities is a paragraph entitled "Who in Scottish football knew at the time?".

That conveniently avoids any investigation into a club who found out later, and proactively covered up decades of systemic abuse to save the club's reputation.
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Was this the Open Secret?
 
Before we carry on here with guesswork about what should and shouldn't be done, maybe BN94 and Grigo can shine a light here.

As celtic are involved in court cases would it not be the case that the wording would need to be carefully thought out. If this report came out and pointed out celtic football club, wouldn't that end any defence they try in court.

I'm not sticking up for the sfa or any media, just a question as I'm not sure how the legal process that is ongoing could or would be affected by this.
 
Remo-town said:
Before we carry on here with guesswork about what should and shouldn't be done, maybe BN94 and Grigo can shine a light here.

As celtic are involved in court cases would it not be the case that the wording would need to be carefully thought out. If this report came out and pointed out celtic football club, wouldn't that end any defence they try in court.

I'm not sticking up for the sfa or any media, just a question as I'm not sure how the legal process that is ongoing could or would be affected by this.
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I’m not being evasive RT, but the team are currently going through the report in detail.

A number of omissions have already been noted, but we are trying to do an objective analysis before we start to fire any bullets to ensure we have all of our facts right.
 
Grigo Yossarian said:
I’m not being evasive RT, but the team are currently going through the report in detail.

A number of omissions have already been noted, but we are trying to do an objective analysis before we start to fire any bullets to ensure we have all of our facts right.
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Im sure there will be plenty of faults in this report,i look forward to lawyers unravelling it all in a court room.
 
Grigo Yossarian said:
I’m not being evasive RT, but the team are currently going through the report in detail.

A number of omissions have already been noted, but we are trying to do an objective analysis before we start to fire any bullets to ensure we have all of our facts right.
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I have every faith. I just wanted to get a bit of perspective on this.

My line of thought being that lawyers for celtic may have had a say in the wording as it could prejudice the ongoing cases.

I'm absolutely no expert on the law, but even murderers have walked with technocalities and this could be the case.
 
BN94 said:
The report also makes it clear that clubs should not attempt to use changes of commercial ownership or status to evade responsibility.


In 2018 an alleged victim of paedophile Gordon Neely, who worked as head of youth development at Rangers’ ground, Ibrox, between 1986 and 1991, was told he should pursue his complaint with liquidators.


The former youth footballer was told by lawyers that Rangers were owned by a different company when the abuse took place and that duty of care was not with the current owners.


An email sent to his solicitors said: “The company which owned Rangers Football Club . . . which you refer to as owing duties of care to your client will have been the company then called The Rangers Football Club PLC and now called RFC 2012 Limited.”


The review challenges this type of stance, stating: “The Independent Review considers it inadequate for clubs or organisations to avoid this issue because, in the intervening years, they have changed their governance, their name or their company status or ownership.


“The ethical obligations remain and are uninterrupted irrespective of intervening administrative, constitutional or commercial changes.”


Although the review panel possesses no legal authority to enforce its findings, clubs will find its conclusions difficult to dismiss.


The report notes that Neely, who died of cancer in 2014, was immediately dismissed by Rangers in 2011 after a parent complained after he pulled down his son’s underwear and pulled him over his knee. Rangers have repeatedly insisted they also informed the police, but investigators were “unable to confirm” whether this was the case.


Two other former Rangers youth players came forward to state they were sexually abused by Neely at Ibrox, but did not tell anyone at the time.


The report also contains testimony from a man who was raped by Neely at Hibernian’s stadium and training ground. It said parents had raised concerns about his conduct but there was no evidence that any action was taken, or warnings issued, before he went on to join Rangers.


The report criticised the Scottish FA for failing to do more to help Pete Haynes when he came forward to report that he had been sexually abused by Hugh Stevenson, a former youth coach and assistant referee, in the late 1970s and early 1980s.


Mr Haynes, who waived his right to anonymity, asked for assistance in getting justice for the abuse that blighted his teenage years and later life, but little was done.


The report backed him and concluded the Scottish FA’s actions “fell short of the appropriate action that could have ensued from such a report or concern being raised”.


The report also contains allegations that Jim McCafferty, a former Celtic FC kit man and boys club coach, who is now serving a lengthy jail sentence, smeared toothpaste and boot polish on to the genitals of a naked boy as part of an “initiation ceremony” during a trip to Austria with the junior club Fauldhouse Juveniles.
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We should come out with a statement and make an apology to the three victims and make a sizeable financial offer to each. Force the hand of the sfa and other clubs to do likewise.
 
Fothyman said:
We should come out with a statement and make an apology to the three victims and make a sizeable financial offer to each. Force the hand of the sfa and other clubs to do likewise.
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we should offer compensation and we should also sue hibernian for not disclosing neeleys heinous crimes .no less than i would expect from they scummy c unts.
 
Theoldgeezer said:
We will have to wait and see what transpires.
Just hope that Rangers PR team are ' on the ball ' 100%
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If it has been proved that we have been negligent with regards a child in our care, or are in some way responsible, then I would fully expect our club to apologise and compensate the victims. This is in stark contrast to the other mob’s fans.

The problem is, Neely is gone, and it never came before the courts to be investigated or proven, so to be honest I don’t know where we stand legally, but we should apologise, whilst stating we would never had employed someone of his ilk if his previous club had advised us of his behaviour, as Hibs should have done. If that means setting up a fund to compensate those involved then that would be the way to go.

This is very different to Celtic’s many cases over 30 years period involving several convicted individuals, where they re-employed, went into business with, covered up, never contacted anyone when claims were made, and self ‘investigated’. They are going to have to apologise and compensate, no question. It is only a matter of whether they are going to fight it all the way before losing, or reach agreement with the survivors before or during the upcoming claims.

As you say, hopefully our board are on the ball, and do the right things as required, with 100% openness and transparency.
 
The article above about Neely appears to be wildly inaccurate. For one he was a absolutely not working with Rangers in 2011. I’m also pretty sure he never held the position of Head of Youth Development. Could be wrong on that but I thought he was a relatively insignificant figure with respect to his role.

To be clear though, it’s irrelevant what his role was, what he did to those lads was utterly horrific and if it was done on our watch then we should do the right thing by those affected.
 
For over 2 years Spotlight have been told that the review cannot be released due to ongoing cases. So why a month before a certain perpetrator appears in court have they released it now?
Today goes to prove the need for a full independent inquiry. Also remember the SNP’s stance on this. They can’t comment legally before the review was complete. Utter shite and we proved that to them. Let’s get all these authorities before an inquiry to answer questions under oath. That’s the only answer.
 
BN94 said:
For over 2 years Spotlight have been told that the review cannot be released due to ongoing cases. So why a month before a certain perpetrator appears in court have they released it now?
Today goes to prove the need for a full independent inquiry. Also remember the SNP’s stance on this. They can’t comment legally before the review was complete. Utter shite and we proved that to them. Let’s get all these authorities before an inquiry to answer questions under oath. That’s the only answer.
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Sadly BN94, under this SNP government, it’s possible any inquiry would end up resembling what the SFA have just produced. Sturgeon knows this issue is a hot potato, especially where football is involved, which could only lead to lost votes. Hence why it was shamefully pushed onto the SFA to deal with.

Any inquiry could take years, and even then the likes of McGinn and Kelly would possibly be excused participation. That said, a genuine independent public inquiry would still be most welcome and should be supported if the victims feel the SFA review still leaves questions unanswered and let people off the hook, which is highly likely. I am sure you and others will give us a much better insight into the review and the feelings and wishes of the victims.

Would it be an option though for any of the victims to raise a separate claim against McGinn and Kelly? Would that be enough to get them questioned under oath, or put on a stand?

Hopefully though in the meantime, the politicians will be free to comment and respond to people on the issue, the pretend Justice Minister and FM can no longer hide behind the review, albeit they will probably just issue general ‘its a terrible shame, so all clubs need to look at improving duty of care procedures, etc’ statements.
 
Something very morally wrong with the message that this long awaited report
delivers. A generic failure within professional sport Scotland, similarities to the failings of the Mclennan report into abuse within the catholic church, which was deemed a whitewash.
The generations of young people who were victims deserve so much more, a full independent inquiry into the failings of these household institutions should be conducted.
 
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