Kevin and his wife Nicola were appointed Ambassadors for The FA’s work on child protection at the conference, which went under the title of “Doing the Right Things”.

“I think that the title is an all-encompassing phrase, and having familiarised myself with the child protection issues and best practice advice already in place, it does not take long to assess that it also carries a genuine degree of authenticity,” he said.

In praising the work of The FA and the NSPCC, Kevin added that he is sure it is a partnership which will bear further fruit in the future. “I am certain that no one will be resting on their laurels in the very sensitive subject matter of making football a safe, respectful environment for children to play in, learn from and to make their experiences positive ones to recall for years to come.”

He also welcomed the introduction of mandatory CRB checks across football, adding that he feels the only way forward is to embrace change positively and wholeheartedly, leading to the implementation of legislative requirements at the earliest available opportunity, for the benefit of countless millions of children throughout the years to come.

“In Soham we have two football clubs, Soham United and Soham Town Colts who both run and organise youth football across the age group range. To their credit both of these clubs are registered Charter Standard clubs, therefore already embracing both child protection and CRB checking issues which fall under that remit.”

Kevin, who is a qualified referee and junior coach, urged delegates to return to their respective County FAs and be proactive in making a positive difference to the lives of children in their area. “Children are our most precious commodity, so I would ask that everybody uses their influence to make others comprehend and embrace the ethos behind the policy.”

KEVIN'S FULL SPEECH FROM THE FA CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCE AT PRIDE PARK, NOVEMBER 16TH, 2004

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your warm welcome this morning. A few weeks ago, Roger Pawley of the Cambridgeshire Football Association, contacted me to see if I could help in some way to promote the impending legislative changes, relating to Criminal Record Bureau checks in my home county. In particular, Cambs  FA highlighted their desire to be proactive and complete the task of having their colts league’s team managers and coaches CRB checked through the FA CRB Unit before it becomes  a mandatory requirement by the end of 07/08 season, mirroring therefore the forward thinking actions of the West Riding FA.

As a former youth team player, manager, coach and referee, Roger knows that I have in place the affiliation components to justify such a request and for me, it is these very areas, which gives my decision to step forward to try to make a small difference, an air of appropriateness. However, clearly, there is a more overt component behind the Cambs FA’s reasoning to request my help; and it would be folly to suggest that it is not key. I stand before you all this morning recognizable for one reason and one reason alone, as the father of  Soham school girl Holly Wells. Many of you present will instantly be able to put a face to Holly’s name when you hear it mentioned and no doubt recall the iconic image of two happy young girls posing in Manchester United shirts some 90 minutes before their fate touched a chord with the nation. That is entirely appropriate and it needs no further explanation therefore, as to how a local request for help has now led to my attendance on a national level. Nevertheless, for me, today is not about highlighting negative emotions experienced in August 2002, it is I hope far more reaching than that.

We have all just heard from the Director of Public Policy for the NSPCC, Phillip Noyes, details of child protection developments and the likely impact of the Bichard Inquiry. In March of this year, Nicola and I attended that very Inquiry as parents wishing to gain an insight into how people charged with the task of inquiring, making findings and drawing lessons conduct themselves and their business. Away from the obvious media headlines, together we witnessed a whole range of individuals totally committed in their approach. People who want to make a positive contribution. People who want to make a difference to others. People who really do care. The recommendations from the Bichard Inquiry, are now a matter of public record so it is not my intentions to discuss them with you today. However, it is my belief that those very findings and the recommendations highlighted will serve as an appropriate memorial to two young ten-year-old girls, with whom you are all familiar. That is implicitly important to my wife and to me.

This year’s theme title for today’s conference reads – ‘Doing the right thing’ I think you will agree it is an all encompassing phrase. Having read about the partnership between the FA and the NSPCC and familiarised myself with the child protection issues and best practice advice already in place, it does not take long to assess that the title also carries a genuine degree of authenticity. Everyone here today whose past contributions and present or future interactions to these vital areas of working with children should be very proud of your achievements. If you will forgive the analogy, you really are ahead of the game. Yet, by definition, I know that no one present will be resting on his or her laurels in the very sensitive subject matter of making football a safe, respectful environment for children to play in, learn from and to make their experiences positive ones to recall for many years to come. 

Yesterday I had an informative meeting with the County Development Manager and Child Protection Officer for Cambridgeshire Football Association, Jim Hill along with the Chief Executive of Cambs FA, the aforementioned Roger Pawley. In that meeting I heard about their specific plans to implement, CRB checks, across the board for all colts’ leagues, affiliated to Cambs, next year.  Their task is one that can be undertaken with the knowledge that Cambs FA has already received the full backing of the respective committees that represent the individual colts’ leagues affiliated to the County. As many of you are aware this willingness and vision to sign up is of paramount importance to any County FA’s well meaning intentions.

Nationally with over four million children being looked after by half a million adults, the logistical task is one, which potentially may run into problematical areas, not least at dealing with the mindset of individuals who feel that having a CRB check completed against them is actually casting aspersions. Clearly, if this proves to be the case, they will be missing the point. Anyone with access to children in football and of course any other environment should be proud to be part of a programme designed in principle to safeguard and that is what the core element of the FA’s well publicised intentions, are all about. The only way forward must be to embrace change positively and whole-heartedly, leading to the implementation of legislative requirements, at the earliest available opportunity, for the benefit of countless millions of children throughout the years to come. The counter argument to prevent this from happening is in my opinion non-existent.

In Soham we have two football clubs, namely Soham United and Soham Town Colts running and organising youth football, across the age group range. To their credit both of these clubs are registered Charter Standard Clubs, therefore already embracing both child protection and CRB checking issues which fall under that remit. Maybe some years down the line this far-reaching option will also become mandatory. However, for now ladies and gentleman, may I leave you with one thought.

Circumstances apart, it has been my privilege to meet and interact with many professional, principle based people who have the ability and more importantly the platform and opportunity to make a difference to children in this country. If time permits, I will undoubtedly meet a few more of you today who will fall into that category. May I ask that once you return to your respective County FA’s will you please be proactive in making a positive difference to the lives of children in your area? All of you here today already understand and practice the importance of Child Protection, but that is not the issue. Please take the message forward that children are our most precious commodity, use your influence to make others comprehend and embrace the ethos behind the policy. It takes a special person to be able to begin with the end in mind, a special person to do the right thing, and it is my belief I am addressing such people today. Can you and will you pledge to be more than just a person who understands. For the welfare of future generations of children, go the extra mile, - pledge to be a person who is understood.