Geoff Broome

Just reading the telegraph story on Geoff Broome, it’s appalling that this guy managed to stay in football for as long as he did! There must be more people out there that’s been subject to vile abuse from this individual, dreadful to think how many there could be.

I hope that the Club is doing everything that it can to help survivors, although I’m a little bit disappointed that they didn’t offer any comment when asked. Whilst neither the old or new guys are responsible for Broome's actions, they could have acknowledged the bravery of those that came forward and offered an open door for support.

I cannot imagine how the survivors must be affected everyday by the actions of one very sick man, my heart goes out to any victim of abuse and more must be done to ensure that those responsible for historical abuse are held accountable for their actions. Broome’s Sentance is not sufficient and it’s frightening to know that he’s going to be free to roam the streets in no time. We must all help survivors of historical abuse to come forward and share their story otherwise people like Broome will simply be allowed to walk around and not suffer for their actions.

To the guys that came forward and gave evidence against Broome, we all salute your bravery and have nothing but the upmost respect and compassion for the journey and suffering you have endured.

Not sure what GTFC have to apologise for but there certainly needs to be questions asked of Scunthorpe United and Humberside Police

Every kid in GY knew he was a nonce and no one listened. Putting wintergreen on kids legs in June was a bit of an indication of what was going on !

How anyone can x the above statements that condemn this paedophile and such disgusting acts of abuse need to take a look at themselves.

What he did is sickening and no way can anyone condone his actions  

Quoted from FishOutOfWater

How anyone can x the above statements that condemn this paedophile and such disgusting acts of abuse need to take a look at themselves.

What he did is sickening and no way can anyone condone his actions  

You are working on a gross misconception here. I’d imagine the red crosses are to do with the post calling for an apology from GTFC when it appears there is no requirement for one.

I would imagine like you and I, the people in question are disgusted by the man and his criminality.

I never stated that the club had anything to apologise for just surprised when as the statement said he worked for the club, that the club made no response. At the end of the day it’s not about admission of any wrong doing, it’s more about sharing in the horror of what Broome did and offering their support for survivors.

As an exile I know nothing about this guy - please enlighten me.

Quoted from Heswall Mariner

As an exile I know nothing about this guy - please enlighten me.

You are better off not knowing.

I would imagine there are a number of posters who have come into contact with him over the years in local football. Embarrassing now that so many local people “knew the rumours” but kept quiet. According to the Sunday Mirror the Lincs FA too should have done something after his first caution but didn’t. In fact almost the opposite just like Humberside Police. I know things are much tighter nowadays but even in the 1990s this was surely out of order and it looks like it gave the green light to any club wanting him to coach.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

You are better off not knowing.

I would imagine there are a number of posters who have come into contact with him over the years in local football. Embarrassing now that so many local people “knew the rumours” but kept quiet. According to the Sunday Mirror the Lincs FA too should have done something after his first caution but didn’t. In fact almost the opposite just like Humberside Police. I know things are much tighter nowadays but even in the 1990s this was surely out of order and it looks like it gave the green light to any club wanting him to coach.

Lincs FA do something? Don’t be daft, Lincs FA are as pointless as the actual FA...

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

You are better off not knowing.

I would imagine there are a number of posters who have come into contact with him over the years in local football. According to the Sunday Mirror the Lincs FA should have done something after his first caution but didn’t. In fact almost the opposite just like Humberside Police. I know things are much tighter nowadays but even in the 1990s this was surely out of order and gave the green light to any club wanting him to coach.

I briefly and indirectly played under him at Humbertherm in the late 90's. It was widely known then that he was 'a bit noncey'; I guess this was still an era when such a thing was considered a bit of a quirk of character rather than something that should prevent a bloke from spending the bulk of his spare time with groups of young boys.

Big Scunthorpe fan, I recall.

I was at Humbertherm mid 90s - early 00s, and it wasn’t until the very end that I ever heard anything along those lines, but then it seemed like a pretty different world back then. You didn’t think anything of just jumping in anyone’s car for a lift to a tournament, weekend tournaments in Blackpool with just the coach/manager looking after 15 lads. Can’t imagine you’d get away with any of that nowadays.

I was at Humbertherm similar time frame- mid 90’s onwards and didn’t see or hear anything. In recent years I’ve spoken with a number of my old team mates and they say the same. To those who say everyone knew, I can honestly say many of us didn’t.

Not defending him at all, and clearly the authorities knew but didn’t do enough.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

You are better off not knowing.

I would imagine there are a number of posters who have come into contact with him over the years in local football. Embarrassing now that so many local people “knew the rumours” but kept quiet. According to the Sunday Mirror the Lincs FA too should have done something after his first caution but didn’t. In fact almost the opposite just like Humberside Police. I know things are much tighter nowadays but even in the 1990s this was surely out of order and it looks like it gave the green light to any club wanting him to coach.

Kids didn’t keep,quiet , everything was buried under a rather thick 1980s carpet !

Quoted from blundellpork

I was at Humbertherm similar time frame- mid 90’s onwards and didn’t see or hear anything. In recent years I’ve spoken with a number of my old team mates and they say the same. To those who say everyone knew, I can honestly say many of us didn’t.

Not defending him at all, and clearly the authorities knew but didn’t do enough.

I played with lads who had ‘unusual’ encounters with him. Not overtly sexual as I remember, but overly familiar at the very least. There was definitely an awareness amongst players and parents, but it never seemed to be considered a serious matter at the time.

I remember similar rumours doing the rounds about another another prominent local coach who had dealings with Broome, but I have no idea as to their validity and I’m certainly not going to disclose the name on here for obvious reasons.

Quoted from Poojah

I briefly and indirectly played under him at Humbertherm in the late 90's. It was widely known then that he was 'a bit noncey'; I guess this was still an era when such a thing was considered a bit of a quirk of character rather than something that should prevent a bloke from spending the bulk of his spare time with groups of young boys.

Big Scunthorpe fan, I recall.

Yeah, we had a PE teacher at school exactly like that. We used to say bums against the wall, X is coming.   Weird really that we didn't think to tell anyone.  As a teenage kid it was a bit of laugh and we instinctively knew that it was better to avoid him and if you couldn't there was safety in numbers.  I never knew if it went any further with him but I guess if it did , the victim was /is too afraid to speak out. It was so obvious though that other teachers must have known.

It's just one of many cases where authorities who had the power to do something from the police to the local authorities and club directors at Scunthorpe shrugged their shoulders time and time again, it's taken until recently for these sorts of accusations to be taken seriously and kids are encouraged to speak out. It's a bit weird in this case and others looking back where somebody in a position of power, coach, teacher and so on had a reputation for being a weirdo and a creep but nothing was done. Most kids spoke of it in hushed whispers or made a joke of it but then we see years later the results of victims who suffered.

I played for him at Scartho. I'm really struggling to remember when that was, maybe late 70s or early 80s (and what the team was called). There were no issues then as I recall. But that doesn't mean that I am doubting other's experiences or that he was/is a predatory sex offender.

Quoted from Mayaman

Yeah, we had a PE teacher at school exactly like that. We used to say bums against the wall, X is coming.   Weird really that we didn't think to tell anyone.  As a teenage kid it was a bit of laugh and we instinctively knew that it was better to avoid him and if you couldn't there was safety in numbers.  I never knew if it went any further with him but I guess if it did , the victim was /is too afraid to speak out. It was so obvious though that other teachers must have known.

I don't know which school you went to or when it was Mayaman but had the same kind of thing going on at my school ( back in the 70s )

The PE teacher was a bit of a "carry on film caricature" strutting around with this tennis whites and what seemed quite tediously "innocent" at the time - him checking to make sure you didn't have any underwear on under your shorts before PE - is actually very, very creepy

If that was as far as it went, it was an invasion of privacy but who knows if that's where it stopped.... every pupil at school knew what was going on, so you can assume the staff knew and sanctioned it  

I worked for a summer (when I was a student) at the Education Authority and had access to the HR files on every teacher in Grimsby. There were a number who had histories of 'inappropriate' activities and were moved from school to school when things got out of hand. It was appalling that nothing was actually done about it except move them on. All the staff knew who they were and incidents were reasonably well documented.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

I worked for a summer (when I was a student) at the Education Authority and had access to the HR files on every teacher in Grimsby. There were a number who had histories of 'inappropriate' activities and were moved from school to school when things got out of hand. It was appalling that nothing was actually done about it except move them on. All the staff knew who they were and incidents were reasonably well documented.

True of all Educational Authorities, Bobby in those days. Also true of priests, nuns, youth workers and social workers. I remember visiting a Quarriers Home in Scotland where the staff were friendly, the kids were unfailingly polite and eager to please. Within a matter of months it was part of that big investigation into terrible abuse by staff. The way these things were hidden and covered up beggars belief to us nowadays.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

True of all Educational Authorities, Bobby in those days. Also true of priests, nuns, youth workers and social workers. I remember visiting a Quarriers Home in Scotland where the staff were friendly, the kids were unfailingly polite and eager to please. Within a matter of months it was part of that big investigation into terrible abuse by staff. The way these things were hidden and covered up beggars belief to us nowadays.

Indeed, this was about 1989 and some of the younger staff members of the authority were beginning to agitate for something to be done but the older ones had that 'it's just the way it is' attitude. And this was a local authority, not exactly at the forefront of modern HR practices.

Rumors about him came out quite a few years ago about his behavior. I played for his SolarGlass team in the early to mid eighties, disgraceful behaviour by someone who was in a position of trust.

Quoted from Spidey

Rumors about him came out quite a few years ago about his behavior. I played for his SolarGlass team in the early to mid eighties, disgraceful behaviour by someone who was in a position of trust.

I don't think there were just rumours. Without being prurient, he had some kind of public issue (might have been a police warning or even placed on the sex offenders register) for some low level 'abuse' in the showers after games. He defended himself saying it was post match high spirits, the authorities didn't buy that. I think that was late 80s or early 90s but I could be wrong, I only have a vague recollection.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

Indeed, this was about 1989 and some of the younger staff members of the authority were beginning to agitate for something to be done but the older ones had that 'it's just the way it is' attitude. And this was a local authority, not exactly at the forefront of modern HR practices.

Sometimes people were sacked but prosecution was hard to do then when it was the word of an adult v child. Even sacking was a difficult job because there was no CRO then and the unions were very much on the side of “prove it” as they were with any form of incompetence at that time. Endless reports, statements, independent inspection …….. appeals galore. The Children Act made it easier but still depended on the victim coming forward and being honest. Even with CRO look at how Huntley slipped the net.I remember going on a course in the 80s where the leader said a child MUST be believed which is obviously tripe and has got in the way of dealing with a lot of people like these football coaches.

I've been reading about this and it's shocking that he was ever allowed near kids after his conviction in 1988. It seems the majority of authority figures didn't want the fuss of trying to stop him.

I think Geoff Bartholemew deservers a huge amount of respect for successfully fighting to get him banned from working with children back in 2001.

Quoted from Marinerdan

I think Geoff Bartholemew deservers a huge amount of respect for successfully fighting to get him banned from working with children back in 2001.

I wasn’t aware of this at all. Kudos to Mr B!

I heard that years back, someone bought their way onto the Scunny board for the sole purpose of outing Broome from SUFC. Paid however many thousands of pounds of his money, got on the board, tried to get the club to stop having anything to do with him. But the rest of their board wouldnt have it, and despite knowing about what he'd already been involved in up to that point, just decided that he could still work with their juniors as long as there was another adult present. The individual who'd got on their board to rid their club of him just got himself out in disbelief.

Do i need to say "allegedly" again.
I was told of this story about 5/6 years ago before all this recent court case.

Quoted from Tommy

I heard that years back, someone bought their way onto the Scunny board for the sole purpose of outing Broome from SUFC. Paid however many thousands of pounds of his money, got on the board, tried to get the club to stop having anything to do with him. But the rest of their board wouldnt have it, and despite knowing about what he'd already been involved in up to that point, just decided that he could still work with their juniors as long as there was another adult present. The individual who'd got on their board to rid their club of him just got himself out in disbelief.

That was mentioned in the Mirror piece which was published over the weekend. As regards his involvement with GTFC, I'm not clear from the article just what his involvement was. Regardless of whether or not he was ever officially on the payroll, it seems obvious to me that the club ought to make some sort of comment on the matter. I was surprised to read that we and Scunthorpe hadn't responded, but it would also be interesting to know when they were actually asked.

Spent 13 years as a senior social worker in a child protection team ,it happens in all strata of society,thing is forget the stereo typical image of a paedophile the most successful are very charismatic likeable individuals,that is why they fool everybody.

Quoted from friskneymariner

Spent 13 years as a senior social worker in a child protection team ,it happens in all strata of society,thing is forget the stereo typical image of a paedophile the most successful are very charismatic likeable individuals,that is why they fool everybody.

It’s always boggled my mind that people are easily sucked in to the stereotypes of sexual offenders.

My Masters research was centred on juvenile sexual offenders and since then I’ve been involved with MAPPA at a strategic level. The serious sexual offenders, as you say, are almost always charismatic and often ‘normal’. They certainly don’t look weird or wear an anorak. Many are also incredibly manipulative; I visit Full Sutton prison maybe once/twice a year and the average length of sentence is about 12 years - the wings holding the sex offenders is very different. I’d argue that whilst they are usually more talkative and happy to chat I wouldn’t trust any of them, almost always looking for an angle or something to benefit them. The standard wing might be more volatile in a different way and there’s some serious nutters but I know which is rather be on.

People like Broome are often very clever and exploit their positions of authority. They also ruin it for other folk, it makes people weary of things and drives people away. Thankfully, the system finally caught up, after years of essentially ‘hiding’ the truth. We’ve seen similar in social care with the Rotherham, Rochdale and Telford CSE stuff, we’ve seen other organisations doing similar...surely putting your head above the parapet to protect children trunks everything?

He’s now in jail, his victims, many likely middle aged with a family will still be working through whatever trauma they faced, there will also be some that weren’t directly effected but will be asking questions, could they have said something, did they see something and so forth. Sadly, the victim supper available, whilst very good is somewhat limited.

There will also be people who worked with or came in to contact with Broome being annoyed at themselves because they didn’t spot it, they couldn’t do anything...whilst some blame can be apportioned to people who heard or knew of the earlier conviction etc, ultimately, the only person responsible is Broome. Will he reoffend upon release? Will he be sorry? Were there more cases? Only he knows and it very much depends on the model of rehabilitation you believe when it comes to sexual offending.

He is finally in jail, small mercies perhaps but he is.

How have we got 3 pages into a thread about Broome's offences which have been long ignored by the authorities and no-one has done a joke about them being swept under the carpet?

Quoted from pizzzza

How have we got 3 pages into a thread about Broome's offences which have been long ignored by the authorities and no-one has done a joke about them being swept under the carpet?

I've held back on a number of jokes....even I thought they were inappropriate given the subject matter.

Quoted from friskneymariner

Spent 13 years as a senior social worker in a child protection team ,it happens in all strata of society,thing is forget the stereo typical image of a paedophile the most successful are very charismatic likeable individuals,that is why they fool everybody.

I can immediately think of one person who occasionally posts on here who definitely isnt one then 🤣

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

I worked for a summer (when I was a student) at the Education Authority and had access to the HR files on every teacher in Grimsby. There were a number who had histories of 'inappropriate' activities and were moved from school to school when things got out of hand. It was appalling that nothing was actually done about it except move them on. All the staff knew who they were and incidents were reasonably well documented.

That's terrible.  They are actually facilitating the bad behaviour. Sending someone to a new location just gives the perp more unsuspecting victims.  

Quoted from Mayaman

That's terrible.  They are actually facilitating the bad behaviour. Sending someone to a new location just gives the perp more unsuspecting victims.  

Yeah, I note later that some of the staff wanted to do something about it but others had a very old fashioned attitude to it. This was about 1988 so attitudes were beginning to change, but only beginning.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

Yeah, I note later that some of the staff wanted to do something about it but others had a very old fashioned attitude to it. This was about 1988 so attitudes were beginning to change, but only beginning.

Yes I think we have to be fair there Bobby. CRB checks did not become a National requirement until 2002. Before that there was a thing called List 99 which contained the names of teachers and others not allowed to be employed. LEAs and Health authorities were supposed to check it before appointing anyone but it was obviously dependent on the efficiency of the LEA. It was around 2010 before this was computerised.

Up until 2003 there was no proper FA or club system of checks and even after then it was very much hit and miss and dependent on a complaint being made although the Database could be consulted if a club wanted to before employing a youth coach. But in all these cases unless the person actually had a criminal conviction they would not show up. What makes Broome’s case so bad is that he did have a warning from 1988 so the question is why he was still being employed as a coach so long afterwards.

Quoted from Mayaman

That's terrible.  They are actually facilitating the bad behaviour. Sending someone to a new location just gives the perp more unsuspecting victims.  

Google the Vatican...they’re professionals at this excrement...

CRB checks were introduced early 2000s, later becoming DBS checks. They’re an interesting one, whilst something like that is necessary and I, along with anyone that’s got one will unlikely have zero issue with it, they’re also merely a document to prove one hasn’t been caught...

Hard to believe they knew all the time at Scunny:-

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/iron-bosses-knew-football-coach-5386406

I don't know about anybody else but I'd call it aiding and abetting. Something should be done by the FA and police about Scunny.

About time there was a comprehensive report and time line.

We cannot blame the current SUFC but there are individuals still around who were directly involved in covering up and allowing Broome to continue as a youth coach.

Things have changed with education recruitment - most schools now advise to get a full employment history, so you can see where people have been moved on/stuck on gardening leave.

CRB/DBS are still like an MOT - just show that you haven't had anything flagged up on that day.

Looking into safeguarding, it's more now about grooming the community, not the young people. How many times do you hear the "he/she was such a lovely person/pillar of the community". Hopefully, more and better procedures help reduce the chance these people get.