Review into child sex abuse allegations takes step closer to completion after former Southampton coach Bob Higgins is found guilty of assaulting young trainees Bob Higgins was found guilty of indecently assaulting young trainees Concerns were raised over the 66-year-old predator more than 30 years ago Higgins gave players lifts to training and gained their trust before pouncingBy Mike Keegan For The Daily Mail Published: 20:59 BST, 23 May 2019 | Updated: 20:59 BST, 23 May 2019 The long-awaited independent review into child sex abuse allegations in football has taken a further step to completion following the conviction of a youth coach. Clive Sheldon QC is leading a probe into what the FA and clubs knew and did about allegations of child sexual abuse between 1970 and 2005 in the wake of the scandal which has gripped the sport. It had been delayed for legal reasons thanks to the trial of ex-Southampton coach Bob Higgins and further allegations against convicted paedophile and ex-Manchester City and Crewe coach Barry Bennell. Bob Higgins has been found guilty of 45 charges of indecent assault against 23 teenage boys On Thursday however Higgins was found guilty of indecently assaulting young trainees, clearing one of the obstacles in Sheldon's path. A spokesman for the review said it was now 'possible for investigations into what the clubs and FA did or did not know about Higgins to be concluded'. They added: 'The Review is also awaiting the outcome of further investigations into allegations of abuse by Barry Bennell.' In February, Bennell was sentenced to 31 years in prison for abusing 12 boys, seven of whom were linked to Crewe Alexandra. A number of allegations have since been made. Higgins sexually touched and groped 23 boys, mostly of Southampton and Peterborough United, between 1971 and 1996. He was found guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court of 45 counts of indecent assault. Prosecutors told the court Higgins, viewed as a king maker, was 'idolised' by trainees and that he 'held supreme power over their footballing futures'. Concerns were first raised over the 66-year-old predator more than 30 years ago, but he was cleared of sexual abuse. However, following an eight-week retrial, held after a previous jury at Winchester Crown Court failed to reach a verdict, justice was served. Higgins, who showed little emotion in the dock, would let boys stay at his house after training sessions or during school holidays. He gave them lifts to training and gained their trust before pouncing. There is no suggestion that any of Southampton's biggest names who were coached by Higgins, including Alan Shearer and Matt Le Tissier, were abused by him. Many of those who were ended up so distressed that they gave up football entirely. Higgins, who will be sentenced at a later date, was cleared of five counts of the same offence. The jury failed to reach a decision on a further count. He was found guilty of a further count of indecent assault after a trial last year. Several of Higgins' victims sat in the public gallery and broke into tears as the verdicts were delivered. Sheldon was asked by the FA in 2016 to look into historical sexual abuse in the sport following a series of allegations by former players. Share or comment on this article: Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility