Michael Sean ‘Kit’ Carson, 73, held in Cambridge on suspicion of indecency with children and indecent assault

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A hugely respected youth football coach credited with helping launch the careers of a string of household names has been arrested on suspicion of child sexual offences.

“Kit” Carson, 73, whose real name is Michael Sean Carson, was arrested in Cambridge on Friday. He was being questioned on suspicion of indecency with children and indecent assault.

Police have been working with two of Carson’s former clubs, Peterborough United and Cambridge United, since the football abuse scandal was broken by the Guardian at the end of last year.

Carson was academy director at Peterborough from 1993 to 2001. Players he worked with there went on to have careers in the Premier League. Carson left to become head of talent development at Cambridge United between 2001 and 2005.

Before Peterborough, he was at Norwich City from 1983 until 1993. On his LinkedIn page, he describes himself as a football consultant and scout for a Finnish club.

On his website, Carson, a family man who lives in a riverside development in Cambridge, says: “I probably know more about European grassroots soccer than almost any other youth developer in England, having travelled to European nations with soccer teams well over 500 times.”

For just under 12 months during Carson’s time at Peterborough, Bob Higgins, the former Southampton coach who has been named in connection with allegations of historical sexual abuse, also worked there. Higgins has denied all claims of abuse.

When Higgins left, Carson paid tribute to his efforts, telling the Peterborough Telegraph that Higgins would continue to scout for the club in southern England. “He has done a wonderful job with the youth team this season,” Carson told the newspaper.

Peterborough United refused to comment.

In a statement, Cambridgeshire police said: “Police investigating historical allegations of abuse related to football in Cambridgeshire have arrested a man.



“Detectives arrested the man at a property in Cambridge [on Friday] morning. The man, who is in his 70s and from Cambridge, has been arrested on suspicion of indecency with children and indecent assault. He is currently in custody.

“Officers are working closely with partners, including the Football Association, the local children’s safeguarding boards for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Cambridge and Peterborough United, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough clinical commissioning group, and Cambridgeshire county and Peterborough city councils.

“We would encourage anyone with concerns about these allegations to contact police on 101 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.”