A FORMER Middlesbrough forward has denied playing a role in an alleged multimillion-pound fraud involving football apprenticeships.

Paul Sugrue, who played 89 times for Boro between 1982 and 1985, scoring six goals, is due to go on trial this week following an Serious Fraud Office investigation.

The 56-year-old will stand in the dock alongside former Wales footballer Mark Aizlewood, 57, and deny two counts of false representation.

Keith Williams, 45, of Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, will deny the same charges, while Jack Harper, 30, of Southport, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of false representation, one count of fraud and one of using a false instrument.

The allegations concern the activity of Luis Michael Training Ltd, a provider of football-based apprenticeship schemes. The charges relate to a two-year period between 2009 and 2011.

Christopher Martin, 53, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, the Senior Fraud Office (SFO) said.

Stephen Gooding, 53, admitted one count of the same charge on March 31, it can be revealed after reporting restrictions were lifted.