Footballers charged in connection with nightclub brawl

Two footballers were charged today in connection with the same nightclub brawl which saw Steven Gerrard accused of assault.

Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin (aged 28) and the club’s midfielder, Robert Grant (aged 18) were both charged with affray, Merseyside Police said.

A third man, Paul McGrattan (aged 31) was also charged today with affray and assaulting a police officer.

Liverpool and England player Gerrard (aged 28) remains on bail after appearing in court charged with assault and affray last month.

He was arrested in the early hours of December 29 after a disturbance at the Lounge Bar nightclub in Southport, Merseyside.

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

Gerrard was at the bar with friends to celebrate Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Newcastle United earlier that day.

Gerrard’s solicitor indicated at his first court appearance that he would plead not guilty to the charges against him.

He is due to before North Sefton Magistrates again on March 20.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said Dunbavin, of Guildford Road, Southport, Grant, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland, Merseyside, and McGrattan, of Linden Drive, Huyton, Merseyside, will appear at North Sefton magistrates next Monday.

Two men, a 33-year-old from Huyton and an 18-year-old from Roby, Merseyside, remain on bail pending further inquiries.