Football coach who worked with Alan Shearer and Matt Le Tissier being probed by cops investigating allegations of historic sexual abuse
Ex-Southampton FC youth development officer Bob Higgins has been named to cops by former youth players at the club
A FOOTBALL coach who worked with England legends Alan Shearer and Matt Le Tissier is being probed by police investigating allegations of historic sexual abuse.
The Sun on Sunday can reveal ex-Southampton FC youth development officer Bob Higgins has been named to cops by former youth players at the club.
Higgins, 63 - who denies any wrongdoing - was known as a “star-finder” at the club for spotting talent in the eighties.
He helped bring players like Shearer and Le Tissier through the youth ranks towards the first team squad.
There is no suggestion either of them have made any complaints.
Two plain clothes officers visited his home and spent 20 minutes talking inside.
In 1997 Higgins was the subject of a warning letter sent out by Hampshire Police and the county’s social services.
It declared he was “considered a risk to children” and told schools and youth groups to alert them if he approached them to try and recruit new players.
It read: “The above name has come to the attention of our departments and Hampshire Constabulary as a football coach in the area.
“We would strongly urge you to contact us if approached by him in either recruiting young players or in using your facilities.'
Later in a joint statement from the police said the move had not been taken lightly.
It added: “Very careful thought has been given to this problem.
“Mr Higgins has been made fully aware of professional concerns and his co-operation has been sought.
“Regrettably that co-operation has not been forthcoming.
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“As a result steps have been taken jointly by Hampshire and Southampton social services together with Hampshire police to express their combined view that Mr Higgins poses a risk to children.”
A spokesman for Southampton city council said at the time: “The decision to send this warning out has been taken at the very highest level by all three organisations involved.”
The allegations against Higgins made in recent days relate to the period covered by the letter.
In 1992 - five years before the warning - Higgins was acquitted in 1992 of six charges of indecent assault at Southampton Crown Court.
No evidence was offered on the allegations, which spanned the period between January 1985 and 1989, meaning formal not guilty verdicts were recorded on them.
Higgins’ family declined to comment but were aware allegations had been made this week.
Police have been passed information from Southampton FC and a specialist NSPCC helpline.
Higgins in the past proudly spoke of his role bringing eight-capped goal machine Le Tissier to The Saints.
He told a football reporter: “It was after Matthew had joined us on schoolboy forms the crunch came.
“He had been picked for his first stint of under-18 duties on the substitutes bench, and when we gave him the news he became very upset”.
Chelsea legend and 21-capped Dennis Wise also tells in his autobiography how he was spotted by Higgins and asked to go to Southampton's training centre in Slough.
Hampshire Police said it could not give any more details on its current investigation and refused to confirm if officers had visited Higgins’ home.
A spokesman said: “Hampshire Constabulary can confirm it is investigating allegations of non-recent sexual abuse which relate to Southampton Football Club.
“We are unable to confirm any further details at this stage.”
GLASGOW Rangers last night revealed they dismissed youth coach Gordon Neely in 1990 over alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a teenage player.