Manchester United reach out-of-court settlement with victim of alleged historic child sex abuse by ex-employee

By Daniel Taylor

Manchester United have reached an out-of-court settlement with an individual who alleges he was sexually assaulted by a club employee in the 1980s.

Billy Watts, a former kit man and groundsman, served as a caretaker at United’s old training ground, the Cliff, where he held several roles. He left the club in 1989, shortly after an internal disciplinary hearing.

Watts, who died in October 2009, was later named in the official inquiry into football’s sexual abuse scandal, published in 2021, after United reported multiple complaints to the investigation team.

Civil Case and Settlement

In November 2025, one of Watts’ alleged victims launched a civil case through the High Court seeking damages. The claimant alleged he was sexually assaulted at age 14 at the Cliff in November 1986, shortly after Alex Ferguson’s appointment as manager.

Key details of the settlement:

• The case was settled in March 2026
• The club did not admit any liability
• An undisclosed payout was made
• Other clubs have typically paid low five-figure sums, ranging from £10,000 to £20,000, in similar cases

Background on Billy Watts

Watts was the subject of a disciplinary hearing in 1989 that led to him being “redeployed” from the Cliff to work at Old Trafford, United’s home stadium. United have stated that Watts, then in his 50s, left the club a few months later, apparently to take a job as a cleaner at a police station.

The club has no official records relating to the disciplinary hearing but felt sufficiently concerned to report Watts to the abuse inquiry led by Clive Sheldon KC. The inquiry was commissioned by the English Football Association to address the “tidal wave” of complaints that emerged following Woodward’s revelations.

Findings from the Sheldon Report

According to the Sheldon report:

“The club (United) was made aware in 2016 of allegations that in the 1980s the caretaker had made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature, physically pulled an individual into an office against his will, followed an individual into a sauna at the training ground and wrestled with him.”

The report also detailed further allegations:

• The caretaker allegedly tried to touch another individual inappropriately in the showers
• Youth team players reportedly referred to the caretaker as a “pervert”
• There was an allegation that the caretaker tried to touch another boy and, when confronted, said: “I’m only messing, shut up”
• The club referred the matter to the FA in 2016

Club Statement

A Manchester United spokesperson told The Athletic:

“As we said at the time, we cooperated fully with the Sheldon review in an effort to make sure we were as comprehensive on this important matter as we could be. While it would not be appropriate to comment on individuals, we take any allegations of this nature extremely seriously and have met and listened to anyone who has come forward with dignity and respect.”