Football coach asked girl about thong, panel says

Joshua Roper was the head of PE at a school in Norfolk and also a coach for a women's football team

A teacher and women's football coach who allegedly sent topless photos to young girls and spoke to one about her "wearing a lucky thong" has been struck-off.

Joshua Roper was head of physical education at Sheringham Community Primary School, in Norfolk, at the time of the incidents, having joined in January 2018.

Prior to his employment, concerns about the 30-year-old's conduct had been raised to the Football Association (FA) while he was a coach.

The Teaching Regulation Agency said his "actions had had a serious impact on the children involved" and banned him from the profession for life.

Mr Roper admitted some of the allegations, but denied others, including the accusation that he sent the "lucky thong" message.

The Teaching Regulation Agency ruled Roper could no longer be a teacher

The panel heard Mr Roper's inappropriate behaviour was alleged to have started in 2017, when he sent text messages that "could have been deemed inappropriate" to a 15-year-old girl.

Following an investigation, the concerns were recorded as unsubstantiated and the matter was eventually closed with the FA in January 2018.

After reapplying for a criminal record check and completing a new safeguarding children workshop and learning and reflection form, he started as a trainee teacher.

Then, in 2022, four children raised concerns about Mr Roper to senior players and a manager at a football club before they were again reported to the FA.

The panel heard he touched a child's bottom, called her "babe", and sent suggestive texts and emojis to her about her wearing a bikini and "short shorts" in front of him.

"I wasn't complaining…or looking, just a peek," he said, alongside emojis including a peach.

The girl, whom he also contacted through social media, stated that this made her "feel uncomfortable, self-conscious and that she wanted to give up football".

He claimed the text exchanges were "banter" and that the word "babe" came out as a slip of the tongue.

Mr Roper denied ever touching the child's bottom.

'Random comments'

The panel also concluded that Mr Roper had sent topless photos of himself in his underwear to another child on Snapchat and touched her back - two accusations he had denied.

He also spoke with a third child using Snapchat and other social media platforms, and was accused of sending "sexual-based" messages and "random inappropriate comments".

On one occasion, he allegedly said: "Guess you must've been wearing your lucky thong today."

This was followed by "yeah I could tell" with a winking emoji.

Mr Roper "denied any sexually motivated behaviour", apologised for his "short falling", and said he "regretted the impact his behaviours have had".

He denied sending the "lucky thong" message.

'Serious impact on children'

The Teaching Regulation Agency ruled that his actions were of a sexual nature or sexually motived and therefore amounted to gross misconduct.

"The panel considered that this conduct had undermined public confidence in a fundamental way and that his actions had had a serious impact on the children involved," said agency decision maker Sarah Buxcey.

A spokesperson for Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery confirmed that none of the allegations related to the school or pupils.

They said his employment concluded on 31 December 2023.

"All appropriate safeguarding and employment checks were completed prior to Mr Roper's appointment, and no concerns were raised during his time with us," they said.

"As always, the safety and wellbeing of our pupils remains our highest priority."

The FA declined to comment when asked for a statement and whether it had taken any action against Mr Roper.

Mr Roper was not present and was not represented at the hearing.