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Two ex-footballers are due in court today charged with the street murder of off-duty Merseyside PC Neil Doyle.

Andrew Taylor, 28, and Christopher Spendlove, 30, are alleged to have killed the newly-married officer, 36, in Liverpool city centre.

Two other off-duty colleagues also on a Christmas night out with PC Doyle were injured in the assault in Colquitt Street in the early hours of Friday morning.

Taylor and Spendlove, who are close friends, are both known around Merseyside’s non-league football circuit and played together under scholarships in America.

Taylor, from Huyton, has played at the highest level of the semi-professional game with Conference Premier side Forest Green Rovers.

He also played as a defender for Vauxhall Motors and Burscough before reportedly turning his hand to working for an international sports marketing company.

Spendlove, who as a schoolboy played for Everton and Preston North End, is currently listed as an assistant coach at American side Oklahoma Energy FC, who are in the third tier of US professional football.

He was awarded a scholarship with Oklahoma City University while playing for St Helens Town in 2007.

Oklahoma Energy FC tonight said they had dismissed Spendlove, who is originally from Stockbridge Village, from the club.

Both men were due before Liverpool magistrates, sitting at Liverpool Crown Court, after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the murder charges this evening.

The pair also face charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm upon PC Doyle’s two colleagues.

Janet Potter, head of the CPS Complex Casework Unit, confirmed: “I have authorised Merseyside Police to charge 28-year-old Andrew Taylor, who is from Cherry Tree Road, Huyton and 30-yea-old Christopher Spendlove, who is from Brandearth Hey in Stockbridge Village, with murder.

“I have also authorised them to charge both men with two counts of grievous bodily harm in relation to the two other men who were with PC Doyle and were also attacked.

“This decision was taken under the threshold test in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

“These men are now the subject of criminal proceedings and have the right to a fair trial.”

Jason Hawkins, general manager of Oklahoma Energy FC said: "Details of the incident will be forthcoming as the matter winds its way through England's legal system including the extent in which Chris was involved.

"Given the seriousness of the charges, we have made the decision to dismiss Chris from the organisation.

"That said, we are deeply saddened by the news of the incident and our hearts go out to the family of the police officer who lost his life."

Post-mortem tests revealed that PC Doyle, 36, who was based at Eaton Road station in West Derby, died as a result of a fatal bleed around the brain, consistent with an assault.

Tragically, he was weeks away from taking his newly-wed bride Sarah on honeymoon, following their wedding just five months ago.

Police said that the officers were attacked by three men shortly after they left the Peacock bar in Seel Street at around 3am on Friday.

They came under attack in Colquitt Street.

Witnesses reported that PC Doyle staggered across the street after being assaulted and collapsed on the bonnet of a parked car. He was taken to the Royal hospital but died a short time later.

A hunt for a third suspect today remained ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information which could help police, should contact 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.