Ex Scarborough FC ace Foreman reveals regrets at revelations aired on Football’s Darkest Secret programme

The shocking three-part TV documentary aired last week on BBC, detailing the historic sexual abuse suffered by young footballers at the hands of coaches Barry Bennell, Bob Higgins and others in the game.

The programme centred around two of Foreman’s former teammates from his time playing for Crewe Alexandra - Andy Woodward and Steve Walters.

Foreman, who is now Scarborough Athletic’s physio, posted on Facebook: “Found Football’s Darkest Secret a very difficult watch as I am sure many did , especially as I know four of the players who were systematically abused on the programme.

“In truth, I probably know a few more who remained anonymous. I feel ashamed that I was a team mate of Steve [Walters] and Andy [Woodward] at Crewe and was totally oblivious to their pain and suffering.

“While out of favour I played a couple of games on a Saturday morning for the A team and it wasn’t until after this all came out that the penny dropped that other teams knew about this and called our younger players names with homosexual references.

“For that I am truly sorry that I was that consumed with myself that I ignored the signs in front of me . As a senior player I feel I failed my teammates.”

Foreman almost joined his beloved Southampton FC as a young player, however he admitte his relief at not joining the youth set up - run by Higgins.

“Fortunately I didn’t come to Southampton’s attention until I was 17-years-old and so was bypassed in my younger years,” added Foreman.

“To my teammates at Crewe and the young lads at Southampton who I grew up knowing and playing against who suffered at the hands of these two sexual predators, I cannot begin to imagine the suffering you have been put through.

“For your strength of character and your abiding will to seek justice, I salute you.”

Foreman was also quick to criticise the Football Association for their lack of impetus to put an end to the issues of safeguarding.

He added: “To the FA, the two clubs close to my heart and the other clubs involved, your failure to look after young players in your care has tarnished the game we all love.

“People and those clubs have buried their head in the sand for too long. The FA and the PFA have failed in their duty to these young players.

“Let’s hope that this never happens again, these players can gain some closure and get on with rest of their lives with the help of friends, family and the wider football community.”