Saints: Southampton Football Club could remove Ted Bates statue, reports say

Ted Bates, who died in 2003, is remembered as player, manager, director and president of Southampton Football Club.

But sports news outlet The Athletic has reported the statue of him outside St Mary's could be removed because of evidence he ignored warnings about paedophile coach Bob Higgins.

Ted Bates was named in the Football Association’s independent report, into historical child abuse in football after evidence from a former headteacher who had raised concerns to Southampton about Higgins’ behaviour.

The headteacher told the FA: “Bates was enraged and threatened to take legal action if I persisted with what he called malicious gossip.” 

He also said he subsequently received a call from Higgins who "pleaded not to hound him".

One victim told the sports website: “As a victim of Bob Higgins and after having discussions with directors, I welcome the news that the club are considering removing the statue of Ted Bates.

“It may be unpopular with some Southampton fans but those fans really need to know the truth about why this is being considered. The club need to be honest, the fans deserve to know.

“Bates could, and should, have put a stop to Higgins’ offending but decided to say nothing. If the statue is not removed, then the club clearly seem not to have the victims’ best interests at heart.”

Last November, a review by Barnardos listed a series of failings by Saints over the horrifying abuse that Higgins inflicted on youth players.

Hampshire Constabulary undated handout file photo of the police interview of predatory paedophile ex-football coach Bob Higgins who was jailed in June for indecently assaulting teenage boys but was acquitted at an earlier trial in 1991. A petition has

But in this review, Mr Bates was granted anonymity.

Barnardos spoke with twenty-six men who, as young boys, knew or were a victim of the now-62-year-old.

Higgins was jailed for 24 years in 2019 for sexually abusing young players in the 70s and 80s.

According to the review, young players saw Higgins as a "God" and a "father figure", and that boys were "vying for his attention".

• Read the story on the full review by clicking here.

The Bates statue cost around £112,000. Half was funded by supporters via the Ted Bates Trust and the other half came from the club itself.

It initially had to be replaced after it was widely criticised by fans owing to its similar appearance to former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric. The replacement was erected in March 2008.

The Echo has contacted Saints for a comment and awaits a response.