Floodlights

Andy Woodward emerges as a gifted young defender from Stockport, drawing the attention of Barry Bennell. Bennell has just moved from Manchester City to Crewe Alexandra and uses his charisma to win over Woodward’s parents with promises of fame and lifting the family out of poverty. This early dynamic plants the seeds for a dangerous mentor-mentee relationship.

Woodward and other boys stay for a sleepover at Bennell’s house, which is full of video games and entertainment. Bennell insists Woodward must sleep in the same room because there are no other beds, and he initiates a touching game that ends with the boy touching Bennell’s genitalia. The abuse begins a cycle that Bennell repeats whenever Woodward resists.

Bennell continues his pattern of abuse and coldly freezes Woodward out of the team whenever the boy resists. The manipulation isolates Woodward within the club environment and deepens the trauma he carries. The cycle sets a long shadow over his early career.

In the late 1990s, Woodward has established himself as a professional for Bury under Neil Warnock. Police detectives approach him as part of an investigation into Bennell, who is set to return to Britain after serving a sentence in the United States. Woodward submits an anonymised report that helps trigger Bennell’s imprisonment in England.

The relived trauma from the abuse takes a heavy toll on Woodward’s mental health and his professional football career begins to unravel. He struggles with memories and the pressure of living with what happened. The personal costs echo through his life well beyond the football pitch.

Woodward visits Bennell in prison and discusses his intention to sue Crewe Alexandra for damages. Bennell dismisses the claim, accusing Woodward of chasing money for a failed career and claiming he never complained at the time. The meeting underscores the long shadow of abuse and the difficulty of seeking redress.

In the 2010s, Woodward is dismissed from the Greater Manchester Police after engaging in a sexual relationship with a woman he was supposed to serve as a family liaison officer to. The scandal compounds his sense of personal failure and the lingering impact of his past trauma. The episode illustrates how past abuse can intersect with present life in damaging ways.

Woodward tries to reconnect with a childhood teammate on Facebook to discuss the abuse he endured. The online contact marks a step toward seeking support, even as the past remains a heavy burden. It also tests the boundaries of trust when old connections collide with present dangers.

Bennell adds Woodward to his network under the post-prison alias Richard Jones, creating a dangerous digital connection. Woodward’s fear intensifies as the past seems to return through this online access. The situation pushes him toward considering drastic actions.

Woodward reaches out to Guardian journalist Daniel Taylor, hoping to reveal his story in a controlled, anonymous way like The Observer’s Secret Footballer. Taylor suggests that going public could prevent future abuse and save lives. This advice steers him toward a path of public accountability.

Taylor convinces Woodward that sharing his story publicly could protect others and spur institutional change. Woodward agrees to move forward with a public account, stepping into the media spotlight after years of silence. The decision marks a risky but potentially transformative shift.

The film culminates as Woodward’s decision to go public triggers broader attention to abuse in football. His story contributes to accountability and public dialogue, offering hope for justice for past victims. It signals a turning point in the sport’s handling of abuse allegations.