VYD teams up with 1in6uk to talk about safeguarding in football with Ian Ackley.

VYD has recently teamed up with charity partner, 1in6.uk, to help promote the important issue of safeguarding in football.

VYD’s owner, Gary Pleece, who was abused by coaches in the grassroots game back in the 1970s, discussed how far safeguarding has come, and how far it still has to go, with Ian Ackley, a former promising youth footballer who was abused by the notorious football coach, Barry Bennell, as a young man.

Ian talks about his experiences in the game and how safeguarding wasn’t a ‘thing’ when he was younger. He also discusses how everyone has a part to play to keep young and vulnerable people safe in sports and how coaches and parents need to remain vigilant without being frightened.

Watch the conversation between Gary and Ian, below