A CHESTER man has denied taking part in violence which marred a football match last year.
Appearing in Preston Crown Court, Lee Woodcock, 35, of Marian Drive, Great Boughton, pleaded not guilty to two counts of violent disorder.
He is accused of using or threatening violence in the Victoria Park Stadium and Bolton Street, Chorley, at the Chorley vs Chester FC match in February 2011.
The game ended with a 1-0 win for Chester, but after the match trouble flared when about 100 fans invaded the pitch.
At the height of the disorder, police horses, dogs and the force helicopter were deployed.
A total of ten men are facing allegations they took part in violence at the Evo Stik first division clash.
Earlier this week, Colin Dunn, 24, of Park Road, Chorley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. The defendant admitted being in a group of three or more people using or threatening violence in Bolton Street, but denied a charge of violent disorder at Chorley FC’s Victory Park Stadium the same day.
Steven Kay, 39, of Longacre, Bamber Bridge; Anthony Kay, 42, of Lyon Road, Keighley; Carl Unsworth, 30, of Canal Walk, Chorley; Gareth Roberts, 30, of Draperfield, Chorley; Parris Blackburn, 24, of Bolton Road, Chorley and Martin Lacey, 24, of Lancaster Court, Chorley also denied violent disorder at Victory Park.
Samuel Hay, 23, of Circular Drive, Elwoe, Deeside; Anthony Farrell, 41, of Ardeen Walk, Manchester; Unsworth, Roberts, Kay, Kay and Blackburn also pleaded not guilty to violent disorder in Bolton Street.
The men, including Woodcock, were granted bail but have been banned from attending paid-for football matches until their trial date of June 11 when they will return to Preston Crown Court.
Dunn, who has also been banned from matches, will be sentenced at a later date, following the preparation of reports. Judge Pamela Badley said all sentencing options would be available.