Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Paul Stewart and two other ex-players have come forward to allege sexual abuse at the hands of youth coaches when they were children.
Stewart, capped three times by England, said he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a man who threatened to kill his family if he told anyone.
The 52-year-old, who also played for Liverpool and Manchester City, joins former Crewe Alexandra players Andy Woodward and Steve Walters in speaking out about abuse they suffered.
"The mental scars led me into other problems with drink and drugs," Stewart told Wednesday's Daily Mirror.
"I know now it was a grooming process. The level of abuse got worse and worse.
"I wanted people to know how difficult it was to come forward. It stirred up a lot of my past which I thought I had buried."
Stewart, a married father of three, said other players were also abused by the man, who was not named.
Stewart was encouraged to speak out after Woodward told The Guardian he had suffered years of abuse at the hands of convicted paedophile Barry Bennell, a former youth coach at Crewe.
Bennell was jailed for nine years in 1998 after pleading guilty to sexual offences against young boys.
He was imprisoned for two years in May 2015 for a historic sexual offence against a boy and has also spent time in jail in the United States.
Cheshire Police, responsible for policing the Crewe area, said six people had come forward saying they wanted to speak to police in the light of Woodward's interview.
- 'Immense courage' -
Woodward told The Guardian: "My life has been ruined until the age of 43, but how many others are there?
"I'm talking about hundreds of children who Barry Bennell cherry-picked for various football teams and who now, as adults, might still be living with that awful fear."
Walters, who became Crewe's youngest debutant in 1988, said he had also been abused by Bennell.
"All these years, I've had this secret inside me," he told The Guardian.
"But I have to let it all out now. It's the only way. I want closure and I know, for a fact, this is going to help me move on."
Based in northwest England and currently in England's fourth tier, Crewe have a well-established reputation for developing young players.
Crewe chairman John Bowler, who was in position at the time of Bennell's offences, told the BBC the club were "distressed" by the accusations and would review the situation.
He added he was "very sorry for the distress caused" to Woodward and Walters.
Woodward has been praised for speaking out by Britain's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
"It is time for the government and sports organisations to work together to close gaps in child protection and make sure that the thousands of sports clubs across the country have robust safeguarding policies in place," said an NSPCC spokesman.
England's Football Association has set up a helpline for former players to report abuse.
In a joint statement, the FA, the Premier League and the Football League described Woodward's story as "heartbreaking" and praised his "immense courage".
AFP
Wed Nov 23 2016
Stewart (pic) was transferred to Liverpool in July 1992. - Photo from www.sporting-heroes.net
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.