Horrified viewers were in tears tonight as they praised the brave men for speaking out against the vile child abuse that they suffered while playing youth football.
A new three-part BBC document aired tonight exploring the historic child abuse that took place in youth football in England from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Tonight focused on ex-footballer Andy Woodward's 2016 revelation of abuse at the hands of a youth coach and the accounts of others seeking justice.
In a particularly harrowing moment, Paul Stewart said that he wasn't able to enjoy any of the highs of his career - which included scoring a goal for Spurs in the 1991 FA Cup - as he was suffering the psychological effect of the sexual abuse he had suffered for years at the hands of his youth coach Frank Roper.
"I had this empty soul," he said. "I was dying inside."
And viewers were left utterly devastated, but took to Twitter to praise the men for opening up about what happened to them.
One tweeted: "My heart is breaking for all of those poor boys. So incredibly brave to speak out about it #FootballsDarkestSecret."
While another commented: "#footballsdarkestsecret truly shocking that these boys were subjected to such abuse unchecked for years. Brave men speaking out on the BBC programme."
A third wrote: "Absolutely shocking how these poor beloved footballers' hoping for their dream have suffered.Very brave indeed. Heartbreaking. #FootballsDarkestSecret."
"The scale of which the abuse was happening was truly abhorrent! Kudos to those brave enough to speak out. #FootballsDarkestSecret," another commented.
One wrote: "Massive respect and admiration to these guys for speaking out and bearing their souls. The pain, anguish and haunted expressions say it all. Just dying inside. #FootballsDarkestSecret."
Another tweeted: "I’ve been watching #FootballsDarkestSecret this evening. It’s sickening what these courageous men had to go through as young boys. What strength they have shown in something else."
*Football's Darkest Secret continues next Monday at 9pm on BBC One
