Warning over bogus talent scout

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Parents of young footballers are being warned to be vigilant after concerns were raised about a man posing as a Manchester United talent scout.

The man is said to have offered to take boys for trials with the Premier League club when he appeared at an under-12 training session in Poynton, Cheshire.

The man may also have visited a venue in Poulton-Le-Fylde in Lancashire where children's matches were being played.

Manchester United has urged people to ask for identification if approached.

Speaking of the incident in Poynton, Andy Ridgway, welfare officer at Cheshire County Football Association, said: "First he appeared and claimed to be a parent.

Coach 'suspicious'

"Later in the same session he approached the coach and said: 'I'm not a parent, I'm a scout for Man United and I'm interested in those three boys.'

"He said he would get them a trial and arrange transport."

Mr Ridgway added: "The coach on the day was suspicious and checked him out. He had given a phone number which was bogus.

I think if parents are vigilant, it's possible to avoid these situations arising Manchester United's director of communications, Phil Townsend

"He also claimed to live on a nearby street that one of the boys lived on.

"The boy said he knew everybody on his street and the man didn't live there.

"The police have said that he hasn't technically committed any offence, but they're keeping an eye on it."

Youth teams across Cheshire have been informed by the county's football association, and welfare officers of football associations in neighbouring counties have also been made aware of the issue.

Reports of the man's age vary from 40 to 60.

Manchester United's director of communications Phil Townsend said: "We advise people that if they're involved with people who are claiming to be with Man United, they can ask to see ID, or if they contact our academy they will be able to confirm the identity of whoever it is who's claiming to work with us."

He added: "I think if parents are vigilant, as they would be in any circumstances to do with their children, it's possible to avoid these situations arising.

"We're ready to play our part in helping parents to do that."