FORMER Wanderers player Gary Speed was one of four men who went on to take their own lives after being coached by Barry Bennell, a court has heard.
Former youth football coach Bennell is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court for 48 charges relating to 11 boys from 1979 to 1991.
The court heard evidence from a victim who Bennell had admitted abusing in 1998, when he was jailed for nine years.
He told the court he tried to contact the parents of Speed, who hanged himself in 2011 aged 42.
The victim said: "Four people from teams I have played with, with Bennell, have taken their own lives."
He added: "Whether they have taken their lives due to Barry solely I don't know but all I know is how it's had an impact on me and how it could impact on other people."
The man said he wanted to get in touch with Speed's parents because he had read they had not been able to get closure.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here