CREWE and Nantwich Labour Party has joined the call for Crewe Alex Chairman John Bowler to stand down in the wake of the publication of the Sheldon review.

The long-serving Alex board member's continued role at the club was questioned this week by local MP Kieran Mullan, who says he should consider his position after the publication of the wide-ranging probe into child sexual abuse in football.

Now Crewe and Nantwich Constituency Labour Party Chairman Anthony Critchley has released a statement on behalf of local Labour Party members questioning why Mr Bowler is still in position at the club.

The Sheldon review concluded that senior figures at Crewe could have "done more" to scrutinise Bennell's activities, and had they done so it may have stopped the serial paedophile carrying on his abuse of young footballers, including those in the club's youth system.

The Labour Party state: "While justice is being served and a sickening paedophile in Barry Bennell will never offend again, the use of 'the club' by Mr Sheldon should not be confused with individual people.

"At least one person who held a position of influence within the club at the time these offences were committed, still holds a key position within the club today – how can this be?

"If the club wants to move on and continue the positive recent work that it is undertaking within the community, anyone with an association to Crewe Alexandra at the time of Barry Bennell should be resigning at the very least."

Personal accounts from the victims of abuse at Crewe, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Southampton and Peterborough have featured in this week's Football's Darkest Secret documentary, which is airing its third and final episode on BBC1 tonight.

It has included former Alex midfielder Steve Walters and Nantwich-based Gary Cliffe, both members of abuse survivor support group, The Offside Trust.

The local Labour politicians say they are humbled by their bravery and want to support them.

"Like most people, we were incredibly moved by the accounts recited in the BBC documentary and the immense courage displayed by the survivors, many of whom still live locally," they state.

"They are rightly at the heart of what happens in the future, and we will fully support them through whatever means at our disposal as a group of local Labour Party members and locally elected representatives.

"We would urge anybody who was affected by reading the report or watching the documentary, to seek help through the various organisations. Our comments must finish with a message to the survivors.

"We wish all the very best to you, in whatever happens next. Alongside with The Offside Trust, you have our unwavering support and solidarity in whatever way we can provide it. We are humbled by your bravery."