Ex-Shrews goalie in assault hearing

Former Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin was due to appear in court today charged in connection with the nightclub brawl which saw Steven Gerrard accused of assault.

Dunbavin, 28, of Southport, Merseyside, who now plays for Accrington Stanley, and Accrington's midfielder, Robert Grant, 18, of Liverpool, are charged with affray. They were charged after a disturbance at the Lounge Bar in Southport in the early hours of December 29 last year.

Company director Marcus McGee, 34, from Churchtown, Southport, required hospital treatment after receiving facial injuries in the incident.

Gerrard, 28, a father-of-two, was at the bar with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United.

The Liverpool and England star remains on bail after appearing in court last month charged with assault and affray. His solicitor indicated at his first court appearance that he would plead not guilty to the charges.

The Accrington Stanley footballers were due before North Sefton magistrates alongside two other men.

Paul McGrattan, 31, of Liverpool, is charged with affray and assaulting a police officer. John McGrattan, 33, also of Liverpool, is charged with affray.

Gerrard is due to before the same court on March 20.