Former Saints manager Harry Redknapp has spoken of his concerns over the continuing allegations over sex abuse towards youth players in the game.

His comments come after the man at the centre of accusations of historic child abuse at Southampton Football Club was identified as former coach Bob Higgins.

Higgins was a coach at Saints in the 1980s before leaving in 1989.

He was responsible for the spotting of several high-profile names in the club’s history, and was named by ex-youth player Dean Radford.

Radford confirmed to the BBC that he had been one of six youth players who had accused Higgins of sexually abusing them in a case that went to court in 1992.

Higgins, who had denied all the allegations, was cleared of all of the charges against him when the trial judge at Southampton Crown Court instructed the jury to dismiss the case due to lack of evidence.

Although Higgins had been named by the BBC and some national newspapers earlier this week, the Daily Echo had not followed suit until the link was formally confirmed for legal reason.

Radford waved his anonymity in a BBC Dispatches programme 20 years ago, it was revealed, when he and several other players accused Higgins then of abusing them.

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Redknapp said that he had heard rumours concerning Mr Higgins but did not say whether these were to do with his court appearance.

He said that he had no personal knowledge of any incidents.

He did say that he felt that the Football Association should have done more to monitor Higgins after the accusations against him first appeared.

In 1997 Higgins was the subject of a note sent by Hampshire Police, Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council to schools, clubs and youth organisations in the region warning them not to work with the coach who also started his own training school.

After he left Saints, Higgins went on to set up his own soccer academy.

He also worked with New Forest club Bashley and Winchester FC.

The 63-year-old was was working with Fleet FC in Hampshire until recently.

Hampshire Police have confirmed they are looking into allegations over sex abuse at Southampton FC but have declined to name anyone involved.

Southampton FC have issued a statement saying that they are investigating claims and cooperating with any Hampshire Police enquiry.