CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe says it is a “tragedy” that a number of former footballers were sexually abused by their youth coaches.

An appalling, historic picture of youth football began to emerge last week, when ex-player Andy Woodward waived his anonymity to speak about the abuse he suffered after signing for Crewe Alexandra as an 11-year-old in 1984.

Woodward’s decision to speak out prompted further retired professionals – former England internationals Paul Stewart and David White among them – to talk about their own experiences at the hands of abusers during their formative years in the game.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “It’s a tragedy. The stories that are emerging are absolutely horrific for football and for the people involved. My sympathy is very much with them.

“From our perspective, looking at now, which is all we can talk about, at this club there are procedures in place set by the Premier League which we adhere to and follow regarding the safety of children and the kids in our centre of excellence.

“We take that responsibility very seriously. Making sure the children have a positive experience here in terms of their football education and their football lives is of utmost importance to us.”

One of the stated key principles underpinning Cherries’ Safeguarding Children Policy – which is subject to its annual review next month – reads, “All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse, exploitation or poor practice”.

And Howe, who turns 39 on Tuesday, has only positive memories of his time progressing through the club’s youth ranks as a player.

He said: “My football experiences here, I can only talk about this club, they were positive. They were football experiences.

“I had some great coaches when I was here. From under-12s, under-13s, right the way through.

“They were people who were role models for me. People who showed me how to play the game and my experience is nothing but positive.”

The Dorset FA declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Echo.