A footballer who was paid £50,000 by Chelsea and made to sign a gagging order after telling the club he had been abused by a senior member of the youth team set-up says the apology he received this weekend is insufficient.
Gary Johnson, 57, said it was “too little, too late” and doubted a statement from Chelsea that it had “no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view”.
The ex-forward, who was part of the first team from 1978-1981, said on Friday (December 2) that he had been sexually abused by chief scout Eddie Heath on hundreds of occasions during a four year period from the age of 13.
As a result, Chelsea said on Saturday (December 3): “It is clear that Gary Johnson suffered unacceptably while in our employment in the 1970s for which the club apologises profusely.”
It also states that confidentiality clauses are commonplace when settlement agreements are made, but accepts “it now believes that the use of such a clause while understandable was inappropriate in this instance”.
The statement continued: “We certainly have no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view. Quite the opposite.”
But Mr Johnson, who is one of several former players to allege sexual abuse at the hands of Mr Heath, who is now dead and unable to defend himself, reacted furiously to the apology.
He said: “Do you think that payment to me really was compensation – or hush money? I know what I think.
“Chelsea are finally admitting their guilt.”
Mr Johnson, who also played from Brentford and Aldershot, had gone first to police and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to report the offences, but was told to contact Chelsea instead.
He stressed the club had insisted on the “gagging clause”, adding: “I had to sign that before I got any compensation.
“Chelsea say they are willing to help players now. That was not the case with me. I’d been to the police and PFA, they didn’t want to know. But Chelsea insisted I keep quiet about it.”
He added: “[Chelsea owner and Russian oligarch] Roman Abramovich may be one of the richest men in football, but he has been very badly advised on this.
“I’ve been let down, but so have the other victims. No one from the club has been in touch to say sorry personally.
“I feel vindicated in speaking out, otherwise others preyed on by Heath may not have come forward. Now authorities, including the FA, have got to act.”
Since Mr Johnson revealed his ordeal, Chelsea and England star Alan Hudson said it was well known that Mr Heath was “a nonce”.
The sex abuse scandal has been rocking English football over recent weeks.
Ex-Crewe player Andy Woodward was the first to come forward to accuse former coach Barry Bennell of sexual abuse in the 1980s.
Former England international Paul Stewart also revealed he was a victim (see video above).
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