Former Charlton youth star says abuse at hands of alleged paedophile coach led him contemplating suicide

Paul Collins has accused former coach Eddie Heath of subjected him to abuse whereas he was a youth participant at Charlton Athletic 

A former footballer has claimed that abuse at the arms of a paedophile coach made him wish to take his personal life.

Paul Collins, 47, was thought-about a rising star at Charlton Athletic however his prospects within the sport have been wrecked as a result of trauma of alleged abuse by Eddie Heath.

Father-of-two Mr Collins claims Heath focused him when he was a 12-year-old defender at a London youth group run by the coach within the 1980s.

The predatory ex-scout later introduced him onto to Millwall after which Charlton.

His revelations' come because the variety of abuse complaints by former gamers continues to rise in English soccer's surprising abuse scandal.

• Up to now there have been 639 abuse claims from former gamers with hyperlinks to round 55 golf equipment together with Chelsea and Southampton.
• Andy Woodward, 43, was the primary participant to come back ahead with allegations, when he waived his anonymity and spoke of his alleged sexual abuse as a youth footballer. 
• Damning report confirmed the FA knew about abuse in soccer after probe in 2002, with 16 individuals convicted whereas working within the sport.

Mr Collins, who's now a plumber, stated that Heath would groom him with holidays and new soccer boots and focused him as he knew his father had left residence.

Gary Johnson claims he was sexually abused whereas a youth group participant at Chelsea within the 1970s

He described how Heath would give him lifts to Charlton's coaching floor, the place he would abuse him earlier than different gamers arrived.

In a single sickening incident Mr Collins claims that the ex-coach informed him to strip bare earlier than rubbing solar cream over his physique. 

He additionally stated Heath abused him on a therapeutic massage desk in his personal workplace, Mr Collins informed the Sunday Mirror: 'He would make me lay down, begin rubbing me and groping my personal elements earlier than touching himself.

'I'd lay there simply hoping somebody would knock on the door so it will finish.'

Haunting recollections of his ordeal later compelled Mr Collins to give up the sport he beloved.

He took medication to flee the anguish of his abuse, earlier than turning to crime to fund his habit - which later noticed him serve 4 jail sentences.

After struggling flashbacks of his abuse, he even contemplated suicide.

He informed the Mirror: 'I stood subsequent to a railway line greater than as soon as and considered ending all of it.' 

Mr Collins got here ahead after being impressed by former Chelsea participant Gary Johnson, who waived his anonymity and went public with allegations of abuse in opposition to Heath.

Blues legend Alan Hudson has additionally stated it was 'widespread data' that gamers have been abused whereas Heath was on the membership (Pictured, left, enjoying for the membership in 1971 and proper, in 2006)

Mr Johnson stated he was sexually abused by Heath, who was chief-scout on the membership, whereas a youth participant within the 1970s. 

Blues legend Alan Hudson has additionally stated it was 'widespread data' that gamers have been abused whereas Heath was on the membership.

Hudson, who performed for the Blues within the late 1960s and 70s, known as the ex-scout a 'nonce' on social media and described his behaviour as 'despicable'.

The 65-year-old wrote on Fb: 'It was widespread data that Eddie Heath was a nonce. He was a hazard to us children, however fortunately for me, he by no means got here close to me.' 

Tweet