Former football coach Barry Bennell, 63, has admitted a string of child sex offences.

The 63-year-old pleaded guilty to seven offences at Liverpool Crown Court today.

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The ex-Crewe Alexandra coach is charged with 55 offences, including 42 counts of indecent assault, 11 counts of buggery and two counts of attempted buggery.

His trial began today and is expected to go on for eight weeks.

Ex-Sheffield United player Andy Woodward alleges Bennell abused him when he was a youth player.

The charges relate to 12 complainants and the offences allegedly happened between 1979 and 1991, when the alleged victims were boys aged between eight and 15.

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A jury is expected to be sworn in for his trial on the outstanding charges later on Monday.

An earlier court hearing was told Bennell had previously changed his name to Richard Jones and would be referred to in the proceedings as Mr Jones.

Bennell worked as a youth coach at Crewe Alexandra in the Eighties. He also had links to Stoke City and Manchester City.

He entered the pleas when he appeared via videolink in court wearing a grey jumper.

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