• Charges relate to four complainants and allegedly took place from 1979 to 1991 • Former professional football coach now faces a total of 55 charges

Barry Bennell, once regarded as one of football’s greatest talent-spotters, is now facing a total of 55 counts of sexual abuse against boys as young as 11.

Bennell, 63, will appear at South Cheshire magistrates court in Crewe on Wednesday week after being charged with 14 new offences, allegedly committed from 1979 to 1991.

Bennell, whose coaching career included spells with Manchester City, Crewe Alexandra and Stoke City, had already denied 21 other charges and appeared before the same court on 17 May to face another 20 counts of non-recent abuse. He did not enter a plea and was remanded into custody for a further hearing at Liverpool crown court on 3 July.

In total, Bennell now faces 42 charges of indecent assault, 11 of buggery and two of attempted buggery, with all the offences allegedly committed on 12 boys who were aged 11 to 16 at the time. Ten of the latest counts, which relate to four 11- to 14-year-olds, are for indecent assault and four for alleged buggery.

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Today, 20 June, former professional football coach Barry Bennell, 63, was informed that he had been charged with 14 counts of non-recent child sexual abuse against boys aged 11 to 14 years. He will appear via video link at South Cheshire magistrates court on Wednesday, 28 June in relation to these charges.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Bennell are live and that he has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice ongoing proceedings.”