New BBC documentary to explore historical child abuse in English football
The BBC has commissioned a new documentary exploring the topic of historical child abuse in football across Manchester, Newcastle, Crewe and Southampton.
The BBC has commissioned a new documentary exploring the topic of historical child abuse in football across clubs in Manchester, Newcastle, Crewe and Southampton.
The three-part series, titled Football’s Darkest Secret is directed by BAFTA winner Daniel Gordon (Hillsborough, The Australian Dream); investigating how coaches and scouts used their trusted positions to prey on young footballers.
Much of the abuse occurred over a twenty-year period from the 1970s to 1990s – with most culprits going undetected by the authorities for decades.
Some survivors were ‘shamed into silence’ until 2016 – when former Crewe Alexandra defender Andy Woodward revealed he had suffered abuse at the hands of former football coach Barry Bennell.
The revelation opened the floodgates as hundreds of other footballers came forward with similar claims.
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Bennell was one of the most high profile cases – being found guilty of 50 offences and jailed for 31 years – but there have been as many as 300 suspects identified since the scandal came to light.
As many as 340 football clubs have also been implicated.
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Football’s Darkest Secret, which was put together over a period of three years, will explore how some survivors continued in the game whereas others walked away entirely.
The documentary features interviews with footballers, police officers, coaches and journalists reflecting on a “dark chapter in English football.”
A BBC synopsis reads: “The series aims to shine a light on the damaging ripple effect caused by child sexual abuse and offers a unique insight into the way it impacts survivors and their families – from that first time the abuse takes place, right through the course of their lives.
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“The production follows behind the scenes of several high-profile criminal trials as survivors confront questions around how this abuse was able to continue undetected for so long.
“The results are as painful as they are cathartic.”
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Salford City manager delivers X-rated, fiery and inspiring speech in new behind-the-scenes series
Danny Jones
Salford City FC manager Karl Robinson delivered an extremely passionate and X-rated dressing room speech to his players in a recent clip taken from the club’s new behind-the-scenes series.
The Salford City boss has divided opinion among the supporters during his time in charge at the Peninsula Stadium, but it’s fair to say this no-holds-barred clip will have at least won over a few.
Robinson has been the head coach of The Ammies since January 2024 and missed out on playoff places by just a single point last term, but the Greater Manchester side has made a strong start to the new League Two campaign.
Claiming 16 points from their first eight fixtures, with only Swindon Town and Gillingham having notched more thus far, it seems a fire has been lit under his squad. It would certainly seem to be the case – at least judging by this new footage, anyway…
Looks really good so far lads absolutely love this
What you see above is a snippet from just the second episode of SCFC’s new ‘This Is Salford’ online show, which debuted this season and lifts the lid on City, Robinson, co-owner Gary Neville (who has helped produce the digital series) and more.
Although it’s not quite on the scale of the famous Class of ’92: Out of Their League programme and Full Time spin-off special aired on television over the past decade, the recurring YouTube documentary will chronicle matchdays and much more.
The club have also explained that the digital-only show will also be split into two sub-sections; one is the kind of matchday coverage already shared, with the promise that it will always be released within “36 hours of the final whistle”.
Secondly, there will be This Is Salford: ‘Our Story‘ episodes, which they describe as sharing “a deeper level of storytelling, following players, coaches and club staff on everything from transfers to causes they’re passionate about.” Think Welcome to Wrexham, perhaps.
It just so happens the latest instalment caught the 45-year-old’s fuming rant following comments made by a player on the way back into the dugout.
While some fans have responded by commenting, “I’m pretty sure they didn’t want this kind of changing room” – citing past straight-talking managers who went on to be dismissed – the reception has been largely positive, with another replying: “I love the way Robbo commands the dressing room.”
Speaking via club media this week, Neville teased the series as going further in the amount they intend to reveal compared to the likes of Manchester City’s All Or Nothing or Together: Treble Winners docuseries, for instance.
Admittedly, not everyone has been convinced by the reaction from Robinson captured during their away trip to Notts County back on 9 August, going on to win the game 2-1.
One person accused him of ‘blagging’ and possibly playing up his anger towards the camera, while others have already seen it as evidence backing up why they have performed well thus far. Either way, they were victorious on the night and are currently third in the table.
Neville reiterated that “We need to get this out there as it happens. It needs to be in real time. It’s their Salford, it’s the fans’ Salford, and we want to show it.”
You can watch the episode in full and see what exactly sparked the fiery speech by Karl Robinson on the Salford City YouTube channel down below.
Featured Images — Salford City FC (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester United announce record revenue despite on-pitch struggles
Danny Jones
Manchester United have declared a record revenue figure for the full 2025 fiscal term, even with their poor performances on the pitch over the past 12 months.
They may still be a continually struggling Premier League side who seem to be in a perpetual state of transition, but they remain nothing short of a global giant in terms of sporting brands.
Yes, despite Man United recording two of the worst finishes in domestic history in the previous two campaigns and head coach Ruben Amorim having already overseen the worst start to a top-flight season in the modern era following the defeat on derby day, the football club has reached a monetary milestone.
According to their official reports for the fourth and final quarter of the financial year, they brought in a record-breaking £666.5 million throughout 2024/25 – but, as always, it’s more complicated than that.
"There are some tough decisions to be made"
BREAKING: Manchester United have announced record revenues for 2024/25 of £666.5m – but the club still made an overall loss of £33m 🚨 pic.twitter.com/jlQS7SMjJ8
Released on Wednesday, 17 September, Manchester United PLC confirmed that they had managed to record the biggest revenue figures on several fronts despite crashing out of the Europa League, finishing 15th in the table overall and failing to secure a place in any European competition this season.
The first half of Amorim‘s tenure at Old Trafford saw the club’s worst competitive placing since 1973/74, a.k.a. the last time the Red Devils were relegated from the first division.
Nevertheless, a fresh shirt sponsorship agreement with Snapdragon, new brand partnerships with the likes of Coca-Cola, an extension of their contract with travel experience company, SportsBreaks, and numerous other deals saw United achieve a record commercial revenue of £333.3m.
Elsewhere, match revenue was also up and reached new heights, tallying approximately £160.3m in the 12 months leading up to 30 June 2025 – the most they have ever registered when it comes to ticket sales, concessions, and other transactions in and around game days.
Although this number is a reduction of more than 70.8% what they lost last year (£113.2m), there is still plenty of concern among supporters over how money is still not only being spent but moved around.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS board did pay sizeable chunks of MUFC’s debt, which has piled up at an alarming rate in the two decades since the Glazer takeover, but there has still been plenty of borrowing.
In addition to a number of shorter-term loans, there has also been an increased level of amortisation and significant transfer spending this summer, despite being admittedly cash-strapped.
As well as actually having less money to play with over the past 12 months, they are also set to receive less in TV rights and broadcasting revenues this season due to not making it into any European competition, hence why they went on a post-season Asian tour to try and make up for funds lost.
It’s estimated that the business earned a further £8 million from these games, but it’s also worth noting that significant sums have been spent not only on new signings but also on severance fees and redundancy packages, so it’s hard to assess how much this extra injection helped with the fine margins.
While it's good to see that we're paying down our long-term debts, I'm a bit worried about how the club have maybe over-leveraged short-term borrowings. Debt restructure needed imo. pic.twitter.com/LQuUdbzK1h
Divisive CEO and former City Football Group exec, Omar Berrada, wrote in the comments section of the full findings and financial report: “As we settle into the 2025/26 season, we are working hard to improve the club in all areas.
“On the field, we are pleased with the additions we have made to our men’s and women’s first team squads over the summer, as we build for the long term. Off the field, we are emerging from a period of structural and leadership change with a refreshed, streamlined organisation equipped to deliver on our sporting and commercial objectives.”
He adds: “We are also investing [in upgrading] our infrastructure, including completion of the £50m redevelopment of our men’s first team building at Carrington, on time and on budget, following prior investment in our women’s team facilities, to create a world-class environment for our players and staff.
“Meanwhile, planning continues to meet our ambition of developing a new stadium at Old Trafford as part of a transformational regeneration of the surrounding community.
Total Manchester United revenue may be up but they’re about to shell out seismic outlay for their new stadium costs.
Berrada signs off by insistig that for the club to have “generated record revenues during such a challenging year for the club demonstrates the resilience which is a hallmark of Manchester United.
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“Our commercial business remains strong as we continue to deliver appealing products and experiences for our fans, and best-in-class value to our partners.”
“As we start to feel the benefits of our cost reduction programme, there is significant potential for improved financial performance, which will, in turn, support our overriding priority: success on the pitch.”
What do you make of Manchester United’s 2024/25 annual report and how it fits into the wider picture/struggles elsewhere around the club?
The Manc -
17th February 2021 
