A FORMER Bury footballer who says he was sexually abused at the start of his career has called on professional football to back a new, independent trust that will "fight for justice" and support victims.

The Offside Trust, which is fronted by former Shakers defender Andy Woodward as well as fellow ex-pros Steve Walters and Chris Unsworth, is asking for donations from the English Football League, Football Association, Premier League, Professional Footballers' Association and commercial organisations that profit from the game.

Speaking at the trust's launch in Manchester on Monday, Woodward said: "We are fighting for justice. We have all been through it and we just want justice."

It was Woodward's powerful interview with The Guardian last month that opened the floodgates on a scandal that has now spread throughout the UK.

In a press release for the trust, Woodward added: "The sheer size and scale of the problem is illustrated by the fact that over 860 victims have come forward in the last few days.

"It is clear that abuse has existed on a major scale for many years. This trust does not just relate to football but also relates to other sports."

The trust will be supported by Prosperity Law, a Manchester-based firm that specialises in child abuse.

Prosperity Law's Edward Smethurst explained that his firm was working on a pro bono basis as it has in the past on other causes, such as the Madeleine McCann foundation.

He said: "The purpose of the trust is to urge people to come forward.

"We're not the establishment, we're independent and completely transparent. People can come forward in confidence."

Both Mr Smethurst and Mr Woodward acknowledged the FA's recent moves to address the issue of child protection but questioned the rigour of the inquiry the governing body has asked Kate Gallafent QC to lead on its behalf.

Mr Smethurst added: "We would call for a completely independent and transparent inquiry because clearly mistakes have been made in the past - it needs a thorough, truly independent investigation.

"We're not making any allegations about any organisation today but it may well be that some constructive criticism comes out of that review about certain establishment bodies."