Ex-Crewe coach Bennell charged with 8 counts of historical child abuse

Barry Bennell, the first name linked to the peadophile scandal that has swept through British football, will face eight counts of historical sex abuse at South Cheshire Magistrates' Court on March 13.

The ex-Crewe Alexandra youth coach, who also worked for Manchester City and Stoke City, is accused of two counts of indecent assault on a boy aged under 14 and indecent assault on a boy aged under 16 between 1980 and 1987. He will also answer to five other offences.

Bennell's name was outed last November when Andy Woodward shared stories of the horrific treatment he received from his former coach at Crewe to the Guardian's Daniel Taylor. Crewe has remained at the centre of the widespread reports to the police which followed, and the scandal has additionally seen the club's academy guru Dario Gradi banned after he apparently attempted to "smooth over" abuse complaints relating to now-deceased chief scout Eddie Heath in the 1970s.

Related - Report: Dario Gradi to appeal ban for alleged child sex abuse cover-up

Notable names to step forward and share their own abominable experiences after Woodward's interview include Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier and former Manchester City terrace idol David White.