The founder of Celtic FC’s feeder club has been charged in connection with allegations of sexual abuse against a child. Jim Torbett, 73, was given permission to launch and lead Celtic Boys Club by Jock Stein, the manager, and Sir Robert Kelly, the chairman in 1966. He was given dispensation to...
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The founder of Celtic FC’s feeder club has been charged in connection with allegations of sexual abuse against a child.
Jim Torbett, 73, was given permission to launch and lead Celtic Boys Club by Jock Stein, the manager, and Sir Robert Kelly, the chairman in 1966. He was given dispensation to use Celtic’s name, crest and colours, as well as the club’s Barrowfield training ground.
Torbett, a businessman, left the boy’s club in 1974 but returned in 1978 and was involved until 1996.
The Times understands that the charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of a teenage boy in the late 1960s.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We can confirm that a 73-year-old man has been charged in connection with non-recent sexual offences on Tuesday, 11 May, 2021. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
In 1986 Torbett wrote an article to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the boy’s club that said: “We gave ourselves a high standard to live up by calling ourselves Celtic Boys Club and I am happy to reflect that throughout our years in football and on our travels throughout the world we have done our utmost to merit that great name. Helping boys to enjoy life is our object.”
In the same year, Celtic FC opened an investigation after media reports raised concerns about the welfare of young players. It cleared Torbett and other coaches, describing the claims as “scurrilous”.
Torbett ran Celtic FC’s chain of club shops in the early 1990s and organised testimonial events for first team players and coaches, including Tommy Burns and Sean Fallon. His company, The Trophy Centre, had a lucrative long-term contract with the club, reported to be worth £250,000 a year.
Kevin Kelly, who was chairman of Celtic FC from 1991 to 1994, was also a director of The Trophy Centre from 1989 to 2005. Press reports from the 1990s said that Torbett had his own seat in the Parkhead directors’ box, and an ambitions to join the board.
Another former boys’ club coach will stand trial in July for allegedly indecently assaulting a teenager at Celtic Park, and another boy at Barrowfield training ground.
Frank Cairney, 85, is also charged with indecently assaulting a third boy at a hotel room in Aviemore and in a car in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, between August 1, 1988 and June 30, 1989.
Cairney, from Uddingston in South Lanarkshire, who denies the charges, served as general manager of Celtic Boys Club from 1974 until 1991.
Last year Thompsons Solicitors, which represents 25 people who claim they were molested at the boys’ club over three decades, lodged papers on behalf of one survivor who is seeking damages from Celtic FC. The test case is expected to be heard at the Court of Session later this year.
Celtic FC strongly contests the claims, insisting that the boys’ club was an entirely separate entity with which it had “historic connections”.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Really ?:shh:
