Tynecastle coach suspended from job by council

A YOUTH football coach charged with sexual offences after being accused of secretly filming children at a gym has been suspended from his job as a learning assistant at a city high school.

Scott Ferrie, who works at Firrhill High School, was arrested by police following an incident at the David Lloyd Centre in Glasgow Road.

Council chiefs have confirmed Ferrie, whose role involved providing learning support activities across the school, was suspended after the allegations came to light. It is understood Ferrie was also involved with coaching boys and girls football teams at the school in Oxgangs Road North.

The 27-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to face a charge relating to the voyeurism of a child aged under 13 years of age at the Gyle health and fitness club.

Ferrie, who lives in Currie, was also charged with a voyeurism offence relating to a child aged between 13 and 16.

Ferrie made no plea or declaration and was released on bail. No date has yet been set for his next appearance in court.

A city council spokesman said: "We can confirm that this staff member has been suspended."

Ferrie, who was manager of Tynecastle FC under-16s last season, has also been suspended from his coaching role at the club.

The club suspended him after being contacted by the Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA), which was alerted to his arrest by police.

Ferrie was the manager of Tynecastle under-15s during the 2009-10

season when the team won the treble of the Scottish Youth FA 15s Challenge Cup, the South East Region Division One League Championship, and the Lothian Buses South East Region Youth FA under-15 John McConnell Memorial Cup.

Last season, he managed the under-16 team which finished second bottom of Division One, reached the last 16 of the Scottish Youth FA 16s Challenge Cup. Over the years, Tynecastle FC has seen many players turn professional and represent their country at international level.

Among their most famous former players are goalkeeper Craig Gordon and football legend Graeme Souness, who both turned out for the side during its days as Tynecastle Boys Club. Former Hearts players Mike Galloway and Graham Weir also started their careers there, as did Nottingham Forest star Terry Wilson. Ex-Arsenal defender Scott Marshall played for the club during the 1990s.