Fresh child sex allegations made against Celtic Boys’ Club founder Jim Torbett
Kenny Campbell, 44, said Torbett, 69, assaulted him on a sofa after taking a special interest in him and winning the trust of his parents
A FORMER footballer claims sex beast Jim Torbett abused him during the pervert’s second spell at Celtic Boys Club.
Kenny Campbell, 44, said, assaulted him on a sofa after taking a special interest in him and winning the trust of his parents.
He told a BBC Scotland programme he joined the club aged 13 in 1985 — and the abuse happened after he moved up to an under-14s side managed by Torbett.
Kenny said: “Pretty quickly he became a hero of mine. In my mind he was doing good things [for me]. I thought it was natural, it was just what happened.”
Torbett, of Kelvindale, Glasgow, was allegedly booted out of the Boys Club in the 1970s by Celtic boss Jock Stein over abuse claims.
He re-joined around 1980, after Stein left the club, but was later jailed for two years in 1998 for abusing three former Boys Club players, including ex-Scotland star Alan Brazil, between 1967 and 1974.
Torbett’s lawyer last night said he “vehemently denies” the claim. He said: “Allegations like this must remain in the hands of the police and due process of the law must be followed here.”
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It came as another ex-youth player claimed coach attacked him at Hutchison Vale Boys Club in Edinburgh.
Jon Cleland told the BBC programme Neely targeted him aged 11 and raped him around 10 times over 18 months.
Asked if he told anyone, he said: “I thought it was my fault.”
In December, we revealed Rangers fired Neely in 1990 over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Neely, said to have molested kids at training camps, died in 2014 at 62.
Celtic FC said: “Celtic Boys Club was a separate, distinct organisation from Celtic Football Club.
“We have asked anyone with concerns to contact us. It is of the utmost importance that safeguarding gets the attention it deserves.”
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