A NATIONAL helpline set up to support victims of sexual abuse in football has received its 800th call this week.

Lancashire Telegraph reporter Aban Quaynor spoke to two players who were on the youth circuit in the 1980’s about what it was like playing at the time.

BRETT Ormerod and Barry Shuttleworth were both desperate to become professional footballers when they were young boys.

They were the lucky ones who managed to carve out a career for themselves in one of the most competitive sports in the country.

But now their perspective of what it was like to go through the youth playing system has been irrevocably changed after a number of alleged abuse victims came forward.

“The question I have been asking myself since all this came out was, whether there was anybody in our team who could have been a victim?” said former Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers player Mr Ormerod.

The 40-year-old former professional footballer has spoken out as the NSPCC has revealed it received 800 calls after setting up a dedicated football abuse helpline.

He and Barry Shuttleworth, 39, both played for a Crewe youth team under the stewardship of Barry Bennell, who has been accused of sexual abuse.

They have now revealed their shock at the alleged abuse.

Mr Ormerod, who grew up in Great Harwood and now lives in Whalley, and Oswaldtwistle resident Mr Shuttleworth said they were never subjected to any sexual abuse and never witnessed anything of that nature.

Mr Shuttleworth, who is now a qualified personal trainer who also works for Bactra Chemicals in Accrington, said: “I was kicking a ball from the age of two.

“My first team I ever played for was Hyndburn Academicals which was set up by my dad John and Brett’s dad.

“It was under-11s right up to under-16s. In the five years I played for them we were only ever beaten once. Clubs started sending scouts to watch us. They saw the results and the goal-scoring ability. One of those clubs who came in for us was Crewe Alexandra.

“We went down for a trial and started training. That’s when I first came across Barry Bennell. He was the centre piece of it all. It was a Mecca of football for kids. Some incredible footballers have come through that academy.

“While we were there we attended a tournament in Great Yarmouth, we ended up getting to the final and we played Glasgow Rangers at Carrow Road.

“We were there for around six days in the end and we stopped in these static caravans.”

They have both welcomed the police and Football Association investigations in to child sexual abuse in football.

Mr Ormerod, who now works in the media and has a chain of Any Time Fitness gyms, also played for Padiham during a career spanning more than 20 years.

He said: “In 1988 Crewe was the best youth system in the country. Back then you were more revered if you were there than if you were at Manchester United. Bennell was at the centre of it all and when he spoke you listened. He has that awe about him.”

Mr Ormerod said he was ‘shocked’ when the allegations arose.

He said: “Me and Barry both were. It’s scary to think he was my manager.

“Looking back on it I was in that same environment.”

Mr Shuttleworth added: “I think football, and all sport really, is an easy target for people to groom young kids.

“You will never stop it completely.

“Anywhere where you have got vulnerable and isolated young boys and girls is open to it.

“It’s a matter of making people more aware of the potential dangers and putting safeguarding measures in place.”

Barry Bennell, 62, has been charged with eight offences of sexual assault against a boy under the age of 14.

He due to appear at South Cheshire magistrates court on December 14.