Andy Woodward is the Author of Position of Trust. As the catalyst behind football's largest safeguarding revelation, his 2016 disclosure in The Guardian sparked unprecedented global change, empowering thousands of survivors to break their silence. He continues to inspire “Change Through Truth and Resilience.”
“There are moments in life that define us, moments that shape the trajectory of our existence in ways we could never have imagined. For me, those moments began long before I was born, with a tragedy that would cast a long shadow over my family and my life. My story is one of resilience, of rising from the ashes of unimaginable pain and loss, and of finding purpose in the face of adversity.
A Family Cursed by Darkness
In 1971, two years before I was born, my family was struck by an unthinkable tragedy. My mother’s sister, Linda Stewart, was brutally murdered. Her life was stolen in an act of senseless violence, leaving my family shattered and forever changed. The man responsible for her death was Barry Bennell’s cousin—a chilling and ironic link that would later come to haunt me in ways I could never have anticipated.
As a child, I grew up in the shadow of Linda’s murder. It was a wound that never fully healed, a constant reminder of the fragility of life and the capacity for human cruelty. But the darkness didn’t end there. Barry Bennell, the man who would later become infamous for his horrific abuse of young boys in football, entered my family’s life. He not only abused me and my sister, Lynda, but also went on to marry my sister and have two children with her. The weight of this connection, knowing that his cousin had murdered my mother’s sister, is almost too much to comprehend. It was as though my family was trapped in a web of tragedy and pain that seemed impossible to escape.
The Revelation That Changed Everything
In 2016, I made the decision to speak out about the abuse I had suffered at the hands of Barry Bennell. It was a decision that would change my life forever. A decision that required immense courage and strength. My revelations exposed systemic abuse in football, catalysing global safeguarding reforms and empowering survivors to come forward. It was a moment of triumph, a moment when the truth finally came to light.
But the aftermath of my decision was far from triumphant. I had taken on giants, and I had underestimated the cost. Standing up to those in power—those who had built empires on silence and complicity—was like David facing Goliath. The difference was, I didn’t have a slingshot. I had my voice, my morals, and my ethics, and I stood by them because I believed in protecting future generations. I believed that no child should endure what I and so many others had endured. But the price I paid for that belief was almost too much to bear.
The Cost of Speaking Out
The experience of speaking up sent me into a spiral of destruction. I watched as others thrived on the back of my revelations, building careers and reputations while I was left to pick up the pieces of my shattered life. I suffered at the hands of those in power, those who sought to silence me, discredit me, and destroy me for daring to reveal the truth. The very institutions that should have protected me turned their backs, leaving me isolated and vulnerable.
The pain of this journey reached its peak when my father, my soul, passed away. It was a moment that encapsulated the extremes of human emotion. Just 10 minutes after the BBC informed me they would create a film about my story - a moment of pure relief and validation - my father died. The joy of that moment was obliterated in an instant, replaced by total destruction. Yet, even in the depths of that despair, I continued to fight. I knew that my mission was bigger than me, bigger than my pain. It was about helping others, about ensuring that no one else would have to endure what I had endured.
The Poison of Alcohol and the Darkness Within
Like so many others who have faced unimaginable trauma, I turned to alcohol to silence the noise. It became my poison, a way to numb the pain and drown out the relentless echoes of everything I had done and everything I had lost. But alcohol is a cruel master. It doesn’t just quiet the noise; it takes everything from you—your health, your relationships, your sense of self. It strips you of your soul.
I found myself in a very dark place, a place I had fought so hard to escape after the abuse I endured as a child. It was as though I was reliving the same trauma all over again, the same feelings of helplessness, shame, and despair. The very thing I had fought so hard to heal, accept, and function after was now consuming me once more. I was lost, drowning in a sea of pain and self-destruction, unable to see a way out.
A Vision for the Future
As I look to the future, I am proud to be collaborating with Andrew Millward-Boyton and Dr. Naomi Murphy to build a holistic solution for lasting change. Together, as three like-minded souls united by a shared vision, we are creating a unique and bespoke framework to address the challenges humanity faces. This is not just a project; it is a mission to inspire, to heal, and to create a world where light triumphs over darkness. Our collaboration is centered on resolving harm within any organisation by fostering resilience and recovery as core benefits.
Through an innovative approach to detect, disrupt, and deter harm, we aim to shift the focus from reaction to prevention, ensuring that institutions and organisations of the future are equipped to safeguard their people and their values. By building healthier, more transparent organisations, we can create environments where individuals and institutions thrive together, where integrity and mutual respect are the foundation of every interaction. This is a future built on collaboration, accountability, and the unwavering belief that humanity can rise above its challenges to create a brighter, more harmonious world.
Honouring Kelly and My Father
To Kelly, whose light continues to guide me, I promise to carry your vision forward. Kelly, who passed away on 27th February 2021, had a vision of peace and harmony, where like-minded people collaborate together. Her dream continues to inspire me, giving me the determination to carry the torch. Your vision of collaboration, unity, and spiritual connection will not be forgotten. It will live on in every step I take, in every word I speak, and in every life I touch.
To my father, who left this world just as I was beginning to see the fruits of my fight, I carry your strength with me. Your loss was a devastating blow, but it also reminded me of the importance of this mission. I fight for you, for Kelly, and for every soul who has been silenced or sidelined. Together, we will create a world where light triumphs over darkness.
A New Chapter
This is my story. This is my purpose. And this is just the beginning… “
