Llandudno Football Club would like to publicly announce our support to our Junior Chairman Mike Smith, who has courageously told his story of sexual abuse he sadly endured as a child within football. Mike who is also a Community Beat Manager for North Wales Police has spoken out in a bid to help others know that they are not alone, and there are charities, organisations, and support networks out there that can help people, one of which is the ‘The Offside Trust’, which launches its new website today for victims of abuse within sport. Founder member Steve Walters, former Crewe Alexandra and Rhyl player, praised Mike for coming forward:

“It’s the hardest decision of your life to come forward and say something,” he said.

“It’s also the most important decision. Ideally what we would like is for kids to be kids and when they are dropped off at any sport they can participate in a safe environment.”

You can see more of what The Offside Trust do HERE.

Llandudno Football Club are proud supporters of The Offside Trust along with maintaining the highest quality of child welfare policies in co-operation with both the Welsh Football Trust and the Football Association of Wales.

The FAW was one of the first national governing bodies in Wales to introduce a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). It was introduced in the 2004 / 2005 season and has concentrated on junior and youth football where the majority of young people play.

To support the implementation of the DBS the FAW entered into a partnership with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s Criminal Records Unit (CRU). This acts as an umbrella body managing the distribution, collection and submission of DBS forms on the FAW’s behalf.

Llandudno Football Club’s Safeguarding Officer Miriam Ford has the responsibility of ensuring that each and every one of our volunteers and coaches, and any persons who has contact with children under the age of 16 are accurately verified and have completed a Disclosure and Barring Service application with the FAW. The club are also proud to have a Gold Accreditation with the Welsh Football Trust, the highest standard of quality assurance regarding club policies and successful applications involving player welfare.

If for any reason you need to contact the Clubs Safeguarding Officer Miriam Ford you can do so by contacting safeguarding@llandudnofc.co.uk.

If you would like to read more about Mike Smith’s story and the saddening ordeal that he has endured you can do so by reading the article HERE.

There are support networks in place for everyone out there as well as in-house support for anybody wishing to talk about similar issues or incidents, don’t be alone.

#WeAreOne