Damning indictment of crewe alexandra/Bennell/Hard to Believe

[Family Stand Terrier]

I would also point a finger at the local media. They should have the local community at the heart of their reporting and they should NOT be avoiding raising the issue - there really is no excuse for it not being covered by them. How can a story about Dario Gradi and Crewe be lead on the BBC/Guardian Sport section and NOT covered at all by the local paper?

 

I do differ a bit with your last sentence. I wouldn't hope that "Crewe Alex" per se are punished. The innocent fans, officials, players, coaches etc don't deserve any punishment.

 

For me only those either directly involved in any abuse, those who stood aside and let it happen, those who (for whatever reason) haven't or are not helping the authorities should get their come uppence... but that's not everyone associated with Crewe though.

I agree with all of that. Unfortunately though I think it will affect Crewe, which I think explains their ridiculous stance (doesn't make it right). Their employee committed these crimes carrying out club duties. I'm no legal expert but wouldn't that fall under vicarious liability? Regardless of if it's proven that they knew about it, which I think they did, surely they're liable. If they did know, that's where it becomes a criminal case. The fact they haven't resigned is staggering.

[Family Stand Terrier]

https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/27/crewe-ignored-police-advice-to-move-on-barry-bennell?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet&__twitter_impression=true

[PV1973]

If Dario is innocent of any wrongdoing (other than knowing about Bennell and not saying anything) then it would be a shame to see a man who has given his whole adult life to Crewe Alex have his reputation tarnished. If he is guilty, though, then he should be punished accordingly and if that is the case then Crewe are in massive trouble.

If he knew and didn't say anything then thats just as bad in my eyes. He had a duty of care to those kids. They were entrusted to him.

 

Now we hear allegations of him showing pornos to kids. If thats true what right minded adult would ever think that was ok? That in itself is weird, but take it on a step from there and the rammifcations of what that is doing in a potential grooming sense is scary.

 

I would also point a finger at the local media. They should have the local community at the heart of their reporting and they should NOT be avoiding raising the issue - there really is no excuse for it not being covered by them. How can a story about Dario Gradi and Crewe be lead on the BBC/Guardian Sport section and NOT covered at all by the local paper?

What amazes me is that as journalists you would think they would be all over this story. I mean how often does such a huge news event break locally? Instead its left to the national hacks to do the digging. Which to me indicates that the local media have been briefed not to talk about it or ask about it and to just concentrate on the on the field activities.

[Santa]

On reflection, I find it staggering that under 13s were still being allowed to stay at Gradi's house as late as 2001, three year's after Bennell's first UK conviction. That was the point when Crewe really ought to have tightened up their safeguarding procedures.

[Shropshire_Valiant]

I would also point a finger at the local media. They should have the local community at the heart of their reporting and they should NOT be avoiding raising the issue - there really is no excuse for it not being covered by them. How can a story about Dario Gradi and Crewe be lead on the BBC/Guardian Sport section and NOT covered at all by the local paper?

 

I do differ a bit with your last sentence. I wouldn't hope that "Crewe Alex" per se are punished. The innocent fans, officials, players, coaches etc don't deserve any punishment.

 

For me only those either directly involved in any abuse, those who stood aside and let it happen, those who (for whatever reason) haven't or are not helping the authorities should get their come uppence... but that's not everyone associated with Crewe though.

 

That said Rob a number of Crewe's fans are clearly in complete denial on the situation the fact that some gave Bowler a round of applause for saying the club was making no comment and the fan they were talking to on Radio Stoke breakfast programme seemed unwilling to talk about it too. As much as I agree in principal and would normally feel sorry for a clubs genuine fans, I struggle to have much empathy how some of them are behaving. It's like they have a fear that the whole system that created the most successful period for them as a club is going to be exposed and come crashing down and put a dampner on how it was achieved! So they are sticking their fingers in their ears and hoping it will all disappear instead of giving a thought to the victims of the situation!

[ELDERBEZZA]

Maybe we can give them a chorus of the "Pied Piper" song at Easter

[Fosse69]

Guardian update: Victims of football coach left ‘bitterly disappointed’

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/02/crewe-alexandra-reject-calls-inquiry-barry-bennell-sexual-abuse

[Smugsy]

Guardian update: Victims of football coach left ‘bitterly disappointed’

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/02/crewe-alexandra-reject-calls-inquiry-barry-bennell-sexual-abuse

 

I find it unbelievable that Crewe are not holding an internal inquiry into the whole situation. Whether or not the men at the top had any inkling to of what was going on is irrelevant as it's clear that there are lessons to be learnt because what isn't in question is that this horrific abuse happened and it cannot be allowed to happen again.

 

Sadly this again smacks of Crewe burying their heads in the sand and at worst, suggests that officials at the club know that any investigation will only uncover more skeletons in the cupboard.

[ELDERBEZZA]

So Dario gets a standing ovation at Club dinner !Shocking club and fans.Lets hope for karma at the end of the Season

[Mario]

The guy who tried to blow the whistle years ago is a someone called Hamilton Smith.

 

The MP for Crewe and Nantwich is a Laura Smith.

 

She is Hamilton Smiths daughter (Apparently)

 

Laura Smith MP is now calling for an independent inquiry.

 

The plot thickens.

[NellyTheValiant]

The guy who tried to blow the whistle years ago is a someone called Hamilton Smith.

 

The MP for Crewe and Nantwich is a Laura Smith.

 

She is Hamilton Smiths daughter (Apparently)

 

Laura Smith MP is now calling for an independent inquiry.

 

The plot thickens.

 

She does look like her father if that's the case.

[Grumpy Old Man]

It is noticeable how the local press and radio hardly ever mention the issue. What are they afraid of? The Observer's reporter Daniel Taylor has written about the issue for the last two weeks. Apparently Crewe have not been invited to the North West Football Awards this year as a direct response to the Bennell affair.Laura Smith the MP has said the men deserve better from Crewe and the town council will pass motion along similar lines on Tuesday.Gordon Taylor intends to raise the issue with the football league.So will this be reported locally?We will see but I'm not holding my breath.

[darren1810]

It is noticeable how the local press and radio hardly ever mention the issue. What are they afraid of? The Observer's reporter Daniel Taylor has written about the issue for the last two weeks. Apparently Crewe have not been invited to the North West Football Awards this year as a direct response to the Bennell affair.Laura Smith the MP has said the men deserve better from Crewe and the town council will pass motion along similar lines on Tuesday.Gordon Taylor intends to raise the issue with the football league.So will this be reported locally?We will see but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Mc Garry and is it Pete Moore on Radio Stoke are conspicuous by their silence. McGarry has reported on Crewe from the year dot , surely he heard whispers?

[Twitters]

It is noticeable how the local press and radio hardly ever mention the issue. What are they afraid of? The Observer's reporter Daniel Taylor has written about the issue for the last two weeks. Apparently Crewe have not been invited to the North West Football Awards this year as a direct response to the Bennell affair.Laura Smith the MP has said the men deserve better from Crewe and the town council will pass motion along similar lines on Tuesday.Gordon Taylor intends to raise the issue with the football league.So will this be reported locally?We will see but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Crewe fans are discussing the town council meeting on twitter saying it isn’t in their remit to have this motion and are planning to attend the meeting on mass.

 

This is utterly sickening. I go every Vale game away at Crewe but I’m refusing to go Easter Monday because I don’t want to give a penny to such a vile club.

[For Us All]

I find it unbelievable that Crewe are not holding an internal inquiry into the whole situation. Whether or not the men at the top had any inkling to of what was going on is irrelevant as it's clear that there are lessons to be learnt because what isn't in question is that this horrific abuse happened and it cannot be allowed to happen again.

 

Sadly this again smacks of Crewe burying their heads in the sand and at worst, suggests that officials at the club know that any investigation will only uncover more skeletons in the cupboard.

 

Crwho are one of eleven clubs who will face a new investigation by the FA if they fail to deliver a proper report into Barry Bennell's crimes.

They have been told to deliver a "structered report" in the next month or so or the FA will conduct their own investigation.

Clive Sheldon QC,the lawyer leading the FA-commissioned review will name any institutions,clubs or individuals who fail to respond correctly to abuse relegations by September.