Crewe Alexandra launch probe over child abuse allegations surrounding ex-junior coach Barry Bennell
Former Crewe director Hamilton Smith earlier claimed the club held board-level talks about an allegation of sexual abuse
CREWE have announced they will conduct an independent review into the way they dealt with historical child abuse allegations.
The League Two club released a statement tonight explaining they will appoint an external legal counsel to carry out an investigation.
Former Crewe director Hamilton Smith, who was on the board from 1986 to early 1990, had earlier claimed the club held board-level talks about an allegation of sexual abuse made against ex-junior coach Barry Bennell in the late 1980s, but kept him on.
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A string of former footballers have come forward since Andy Woodward became the first to speak out last week about alleged abuse he suffered at the hands of convicted child abuser Barry Bennell, a former Crewe Alexandra coach.
Bennell, who worked for Crewe, Manchester City, Stoke and junior teams in north-west England and the Midlands, abused young boys from the 1970s onwards.
He was jailed for four years for raping a British boy on a 1994 football tour of Florida, and given a nine-year sentence for 23 offences against six boys in England in 1998.
He was jailed for a third time in 2015 after admitting abusing a boy at a 1980 football camp in Macclesfield.
"Crewe Alexandra Football Club can today announce that it is to launch an independent review of the way the club dealt with historical child abuse allegations," the statement said.
"The club is determined that a thorough investigation takes place at the earliest opportunity and believes an independent review, to be conducted via the appointment of external legal counsel, is the correct way forward in the circumstances."
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) said it was "watching events closely" and opened the door to examining allegations in the growing scandal as England captain Wayne Rooney urged anyone who may have been assaulted to seek help.
Those to have made allegations against Bennell include former Manchester City star David White and youth player Jason Dunford, plus ex Crewe player Steve Walters and youngster Chris Unsworth.
Former England international Paul Stewart has also spoken out about being sexually abused by a coach as a child.
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