Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra are facing the prospect of large-scale legal action and compensation bills running into millions of pounds from victims of the serial paedophile Barry Bennell.

Bennell, who worked as a youth coach and scout for City and Crewe among others, was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday of 43 counts of child sexual abuse against 11 victims as the horrifying scale of his crimes begins to emerge. It is understood the number of victims assaulted by Bennell – who is still under police investigation – could easily exceed 100 after 86 more people came forward to report abuse by him.

Bennell, 64, described at the trial as a “child molester on an industrial scale”, had already been convicted of abusing 15 boys in the UK and one in the United States. Bennell will be sentenced on Monday.

City and Crewe are two of the clubs most seriously implicated and could be the subject of a civil group action from victims. The court heard three former junior footballers are already suing City after civil cases were lodged in March 2016 while one is planning to sue Crewe and the FA for damages. Three other complainants in the current trial have sought legal ­advice on a potential compensation claim and it is believed others could follow.