THREE football fans yesterday pleaded not guilty to racial chanting.

The trio's plea means that now seven Hartlepool United fans have denied chanting racist abuse in a second division league game against Oldham Athletic at Hartlepool's Victoria Park ground on September 6.

Stephen Booth, 30, from Young Street, Paul Hind, 38, from Stotford Street and Michael Hutchinson, 37, from Newquay Close, all Hartlepool, made their plea at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Last week, Stanley Watson, 46, and his son, Jonathan, 19, both of Callander Road, Paul Gale, 29, from Flint Walk, and Phillip Bailey, 41, from Mason Walk, all Hartlepool, also pleaded not guilty to the charge. They were not in court yesterday.

A two-day trial is due to be heard at Hartlepool Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 27.