LONDON: Paul Stewart, the former England and Tottenham international, has become the latest footballer player to speak out about having been sexually abused as a youth player.

Stewart, who began his professional career with Blackpool and also played for Manchester City and Liverpool, told the Mirror newspaper that an unnamed coach had abused him daily for four years.

This comes after two ex-Crewe players said a club coach abused them as boys.

The Professional Footballers’ Association has said it expects more players to come forward.

Andy Woodward was the first to speak out, followed by Steve Walters, who told The Guardian of being abused by coach Barry Bennell, who was jailed for nine years in 1998.

Former Crewe, Sheffield United and Bury defender Andy Woodward spoke out after waiving lifetime anonymity offered to victims of sexual offences

The three players have each waived their right to anonymity as a sex abuse victim.

Stewart told the Mirror he was abused up to the age of 15 and said his attacker got away with it by threatening to kill his relatives if he ever mentioned it.

He has blamed the abuse for drink and drug problems later in his career.

In the Mirror, he said: “I have seen a counsellor, but I am resigned to the fact it will always be there and it is how I deal with it. I don’t sit around the house crying all the time, but tears are a release at times.”

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: “I would suggest there’s going to be into double figures from what I am hearing that once Andy has come out, we’re now seeing more and more players come out and having the confidence to come out.

“It’s going to take some time. We’re now meeting up with other such players and looking to counsel and advise them with regard to the current situation and the future.”

Cheshire Police said six people had contacted them since Mr Woodward went public.

############