Ex-Town striker facing affray charge

Former Shrewsbury Town striker Luke Rodgers has appeared in court charged with affray and escaping from police custody.

The 27-year-old, who now plays for Town's League Two rivals Notts County, is alleged to have assaulted a door supervisor at the Tantra Bar, in Victoria Street, Nottingham, on September 30.

Rodgers, of Tamworth, appeared at the city's crown court yesterday and was bailed until a plea and case management hearing on February 19, 2010.

His bail conditions mean he must not go within 100 metres of Tantra and must not contact staff at the bar or the prosecution witnesses.

Michelle Hendrie, 29, of Water Orton, Birmingham, is also charged with affray in relation to the incident. She has been bailed unconditionally to appear at the same court on the same date.

Rodgers was a popular figure at Shrewsbury Town, breaking through the club's youth system to become a first team regular.

He bagged 73 goals in just under 200 first team appearances for the side in all competitions, including more than 20 goals in both the 2001/2 and 2002/3 seasons, scoring four hat-tricks along the way.

After helping Town back into the Football League in 2003/4 with 14 goals, his last season was injury-hit and he ended the campaign with just seven goals. He moved to Crewe Alexandra at the start of the 2005/6, before spells with Port Vale and Yeovil. Rodgers made the switch to mega-bucks County in July.