Joey Barton, the former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder, has pleaded not guilty to charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch during an incident outside Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in north-west England on March 8. Barton, 43, appeared via video link from Liverpool prison at Liverpool crown court, where he denied the allegations. Lynch, a former non-league football manager and founder of the special education school NexGen Academy, reportedly suffered serious injuries to an eye as a result of the incident. Barton's co-defendant, Gary O’Grady, was present but did not enter a plea during the hearing. Judge Andrew Menary has set a trial date for September 1, with the proceedings expected to last seven days. Barton is currently remanded in custody, while O’Grady has been granted conditional bail, supported by family members in court. Throughout his career, Barton earned one cap for the England national team and played for clubs including Rangers and Marseille.