Celtic Boys Club abuse survivor settles legal action for five-figure sum

Digby Brown has helped a former youth footballer successfully settle a historic abuse claim against Celtic Football Club.

Our client, who cannot be named for legal reasons, raised a legal action over claims he was attacked by Frank Cairney at Celtic Boys Club in 1989.

Celtic FC originally denied liability but after the case was raised as a court action last month the club agreed to pay an out-of-court sum.

Welcoming the victory, our client said: “When people think of abuse they often think of one act that happened one time, or that it happened so long ago you should just be able to move past it but it simply isn’t like getting injured – you can’t just limp on until you get better. 

“Abusive acts may be physical but the impact, for me, is nearly all mental and the worst of it is a paralysing feeling of shame and it’s something I’ve been dealing with for nearly 40 years. 

“It is a strange, confusing and angering feeling – you know what happened wasn’t your fault yet at the same time you feel responsible for it… then you get angry at yourself for letting yourself get affected by it.

“In terms of the settlement I feel like I’ve finally been heard because shortly after the attacks I spoke to multiple authority figures yet no one listened or took meaningful action.

“It’s been tough to get here but I’m proud of myself for not giving up and I’d really encourage others to not give up on their own hopes for justice either.

“No matter how many people tell you ‘No’ just keep going until you find good people who instead say ‘No problem’.”

The legal action against Celtic was confirmed last month and gained national attention as our client became the latest survivor seeking justice. 

Cairney, who is now 90-years-old, was jailed for three years in 2019 after being convicted of nine charges in connection with the sexual abuse of boys.

A later examination of facts hearing ruled he also indecently assaulted three boys between 1978-89.

Our client’s case was raised at the Court of Session – the highest civil court in the country – and settled just one month later.

Richard Pitts, Partner at Digby Brown and specialist in historic abuse claims, led the legal action against Celtic and helped our client recover rightful damages and the recognition he deserved.

He said: “Successful legal victories can be a double-edged sword because while we are proud of our client and what we have achieved together, there’s always a mindfulness about why we are in this fight in the first place.

“I am incredibly proud of my client for everything he has done – he is a great example of what perseverance can achieve and I hope this outcome allows him to look to the future in a more positive way.” 

The successful outcome was reported in The Scottish Sun and STV.