Former Manchester City youth player Jason Dunford has claimed that the sexual abuse by ex-Crewe Alexandra scout Barry Bennell is worse than the offences committed by former television presenter Jimmy Savile.

A number of former players have come forward claiming that they were the victims of abuse at the hands of Bennell, who has since been jailed on three separate occasions for sexual offences against young boys.

Dunford is the latest to make allegations against Bennell, and he believes that a paedophile ring operated in football and was covered up as part of a conspiracy.

"I believe there was a conspiracy and paedophile ring," Dunford told BBC Sport.

"There were people at those clubs who had a duty to look after boys coming through their system. I think Savile looks like a choirboy compared to this fella."

Former Crewe youngster Chris Unsworth also believes that the offences of Bennell were ignored when they could have been prevented.

"It was swept under the carpet. It could have been prevented but way back then there were no laws, you just went with it," Unsworth added.

"Everything we have been through has been brushed under the carpet and that is why we are here today. Hopefully others will come out and join us."

So far, four separate police forces have announced investigations into allegations of historic abuse of young footballers.