dizmouk i agree, I didn't say it was fair, but the employer also has to think of their reputation, as Teleph0ne suggested if anything should happen and it was revealed they knew, and parents were angry.
If it was truly accepted that people are rehabilitated on release from prison the CRB would be unnecessary. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act states that as relates to CRB any conviction over 2.5 years will never be 'spent' from a CRB and this will unfortunately follow that person through their career.
bodwyer - If the affliated club wish to continue his employment they obviously believe he is rehabilitated and that is their choice - it may become a concern if the governing body are likely to discover this and take action, but if not, your friend has nothing wrong by simply continuing to work.