ESSEX Police are investigating five reports of historic child abuse rocking the world of professional football.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) announced on Friday that 83 potential suspects have been identified nationwide by Operation Hydrant – the national police body coordinating historical sexual abuse claims.

An Essex Police spokesman said he could not confirm details of the cases but said they could include allegations of incidents that happened outside the county but where victims had since moved.

He said: “We have received five reports of allegations relating to child abuse within the football community.

“We have got to look at where it relates to so that we can feed our information back to Operation Hydrant.”

Last week, the Echo revealed how former Leyton Orient youth team player Peter Hodges, 69, of Leigh, was groped by youth coach Eddie Heath.

Heath died in the mid-1980s.

It is thought that 98 clubs have been affected, with the age range of victims spanning seven years through to 20 years.

There have also been 639 referrals nationwide from the NSPCC helpline. It is available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642.