FORMER England international David White is the latest former footballer to claim he was sexually abused by youth coach Barry Bennell.
White made one appearance for England, and is known for his time at Manchester City, Leeds United and Sheffield United.
White claimed former Crewe coach and convicted sex offender Barry Bennell abused him while he was playing for a junior team.
The 43-year-old City legend spoke out after Crewe players Andy Woodward, 43, and Steve Walters, 44, both waived their right to anonymity and revealed Bennell abused them too.
Ex-England international Paul Stewart – who played for City, Spurs and Liverpool – has also revealed he too was abused by another coach as a teenager.
In a statement, White, who also shared it on Twitter, said: “For nearly two decades, I kept my ordeal secret from my family and friends.
“While I believe throughout my football career I have come to terms with what had happened, I now realise the effects of Bennell’s actions were much more far-reaching than I knew then.
“Last year I made the decision to gather my thoughts, reflect on my experience, and tell my life story in my own words. I did not set out to write a story about the abuse, but knew I would have to include it.
“In doing so I have come to terms with the fact that Bennell’s actions influenced almost every event and relationship in my life.
“Circumstances took me away from the abuse before it escalated. I salute Andy Woodward, Steve Walters, and Paul Stewart for so bravely revealing their personal tragedies.
“The physical abuse they and others suffered was certainly more extreme and prolonged than my ordeal, and I cannot be sure that I would have their courage.”
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The Guardian have reported how White was targetted by a youth coach he "hero-worshipped" at the age of 11.
He is set to reveal all in a book titled "Shades of Blue: The Hidden Torment of a Football Star."
The publishers told The Guardian that the book "will detail the impact of that abuse, outlining the shocking events that left a young boy bewildered and traumatised."
“It was a career that would take him to the dizzy heights of playing for his country," the publishers said to the paper.
"Much of David’s youth and senior football career, however, would become blighted by a lack of confidence and consistency. Only David knew the sinister reasons behind this inconsistency. Only David knew who had shot his confidence to pieces. Only David knew that, aged just 11, he had been sexually abused by his football coach."
Earlier this week, former Tottenham and Spurs player Paul Stewart revealed he was sexually abused by a youth coach as a child.
The ex-Spurs man said the pervert vowed to make him a star before launching a campaign of sick sexual abuse when he was aged between 11 and 15.
Paul, 52, kept the horrific abuse hidden from everyone, including his family, for more than 40 years.
But the brave England star tonight broke his silence to tell how he was targeted by his trainer in the hope more victims would come forward.
Paul claims he was assaulted every day for four years and that his tormentor got away with it because he threatened to kill his relatives if he ever told anyone.
Paul spoke out after reading about Andy Woodward, 43, who was abused as a young footballer at Crewe Alexander by predator Barry Bennell, 61, in the 70s and 80s.
Another former player, Steve Walters also then revealed he was abused by Bennell form the age of 11 until he was 16. Bennell was jailed in 1998.
Stewart told the Daily Mirror the abuse started when he was travelling in his coach’s car one day when he was aged just 11.
The abuser, who cannot be named, threatened Paul, telling him he would kill his family if he told.
Paul, who waived his right to anonymity despite his ordeal, claims: “One lad in the team, he made him and I perform sexual acts on him.
“Another lad who was four years older than me told me he was abused.
“He told me that later when we met as adults.
“The mental scars led me into other problems with drink and drugs.
“I know now it was a grooming process.
“The level of abuse got worse and worse.”
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