Former Southampton youth football coach, 64, faces 50 charges of historic sexual abuse of 24 victims

Former Southampton youth football coach Bob Higgins will face 50 counts of historic sexual offences against 24 victims, a court heard today.

The 64-year-old denies all the offences, relating to his time as a coach at Southampton and Peterborough United spread over 30 years.

Higgins is alleged to have committed the offences, which include indecent assaults and attempted indecent assaults, against boys who he mainly came in to contact with through football.

Today at Salisbury Crown Court, Wilts, it was heard the former coach will face 50 counts of historic sexual offences against boys under the age of 17.

All the alleged offences are said to have taken place over a 26 year period between 1970 and 1996.

Higgins, of Southampton, Hants, was not required to attend the pre-trial review hearing today.

Prosecutor Adam Feest QC said Higgins' defence team would be making an application to split the case in to three parts before the trial began.

He said: 'We understand the defence will make an application of severence.

'This will be an application to split the trial into three.'Bob Higgins, 54, will face 50 counts of historic sexual offences against 24 victims, a court heard todayJudge Jonathan Fuller QC said he would hear the application from Charles Gabb, defending, and any arguments against this from Mr Feest on May 24 at Bournemouth Crown Court, Dorset.

Several police forces in the UK launched wide-ranging investigations into sexual abuse in football in November and a dedicated NSPCC helpline for football received 860 calls in its first week.

 The club works closely and tirelessly with the Premier League to promote the safeguarding of children and young people who are under our care or using our facilities, and their well-being is paramount to all staff

Southampton FC has cooperated with Hampshire Police as part of Operation Quantum since a 'significant and complex investigation' began in December, when several players came forward to allege they were abused.

It is not known whether these allegations of abuse were related to Higgins.

In a statement released in December, the club said: 'Hampshire Police and Southampton Football Club are committed to working together to investigate any historical allegations that may be brought to light in the Hampshire area.

'The club has informed Hampshire Police that we will offer our full support to any investigation they undertake, for as long as it takes, and with our full focus.

'The club works closely and tirelessly with the Premier League to promote the safeguarding of children and young people who are under our care or using our facilities, and their well-being is paramount to all staff.'