Saints facing possible legal action by former youth players who claim they were abused at the club

The Daily Echo can reveal that at least one of the alleged victims of abuse says he will sue Saints for compensation over his ordeal.

The man, who has not been named, has contacted a city law firm with a view to starting action for damages.

The former youth player, who alleges he was assaulted by ex-coach Bob Higgins has also given a statement to the police.

The Daily Echo also understands that other former players are talking to BL Claims Solicitors about the possibility of representing them, raising the possibility of a group claim against the club.

Six former youth players are reported to have now made accusations against Mr Higgins when he was coach at the club in the 80s and 90s.

Mr Higgins, who has always denied claims of abuse, is at the centre of an investigation by the club and Hampshire Police into the allegations against him.

No formal claim has yet been made, but the action would centre on the football club’s liability over its negligence in failing to stop the abuse taking place.

Solicitor Malcolm Johnson, senior associate at BL Claims and a specialist in child abuse cases, is working on behalf of clients who were youngsters involved in the club’s youth system in the mid-1980s.

Among them is a man who alleges he was abused when he was a teenager training with Saints.

So far he is the only one to formally instruct the firm to represent him.

The first incident of abuse is said to have taken place during a youth football tournament in Sweden in the 1980s. At that time Bob Higgins was involved in the set-up.

The man, who remained with the club for two years after signing a youth team training contract but never played for the first team, claims he now suffers from severe mental health problems.

Mr Johnson said victims of sexual abuse in football often found it difficult to speak out – but they must do so in order to access the professional support they need, he said.

"Having represented a number of adults who have been abused by their sports coaches, we understand how difficult it is for those who have suffered abuse to speak out.

“The problem in the sports world is that child abusers thrive in an environment where children are scared to speak up for fear that they will lose their place in a team.

“At the time when these incidents are alleged to have occurred child safeguarding regulations were also less stringent than they are today, making it easier for abuse to go undetected.

“Any perpetrators who are found guilty of abuse will have not only groomed and abused their victims in the most catastrophic way but also abused the trust of their families and the rest of the football community.

"We support the Football Association's decision to implement an immediate enquiry and hope that those affected receive the support they need to begin the difficult journey of recovery."

No one from Saints was available to comment on this latest development last night.

Last week former Saints players Jamie Webb and Dean Radford appeared on television to make allegations against Mr Higgins.

It is not known if they are among the former players to have spoken with BL Claims Solicitors.

Yesterday Matt Le Tissier told of how he was given a naked massage by Mr Higgins, describing it as “very uncomfortable and very, very wrong”.

Mr Le Tissier added: “I would like to think the bravery of the boys that have come out will encourage everyone else who experienced these kind of things.”

Former Saints manager Harry Redknapp spoke of hearing rumours about Mr Higgins but did not clarify whether these were to do with his court appearance in 1991 and 1992 when he was cleared of charges of sexual abuse against a total of seven young players.

He added that he felt the FA should have done more to monitor Mr Higgins.