Did Joey Barton admit ‘assault’ outside golf club ?

LONDON: The Former Manchester City footballer Joey Barton on Tuesday denied the assaulting a man outside a golf club of which he was accused.

Joey Barton appeared via videolink from HMP Liverpool for the plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, at Fairway, Huyton, which a complaint reported to have taken place on March 8.

His co-defendant Gary O’Grady, 50, of Huyton, Merseyside, was not asked to enter a plea to the charge on Tuesday.

The manager who also used to play as midfielder is a former player who made 269 appearances in the Premier League, including 130 for Manchester City.

He was most recently the manager of League One side Bristol Rovers. Barton was born and raised in Huyton, Merseyside. 

During a court hearing, the court was also told that defendants had been drinking with Mr Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club before the alleged attack.

Mr Lynch, former non-league football manager and founder of special education school NexGen Academy, was said to have suffered serious injuries to his eye.