A racist culture existed at Chelsea years before the period of alleged abuse mentioned in testimony from three youth-team members against former coaches Gwyn Williams and Graham Rix, according to one ex-player.
Former Wales international Nathan Blake, who went on to have a successful career with eight different clubs, winning 29 international caps, gave a harrowing account of the treatment he suffered as an apprentice at Stamford Bridge before leaving the club at the age of 17.
‘It was the worst period of my life,’ says Blake. ‘I couldn’t believe what was happening. Every other word was c**n or n****r.