Goodwillie denies assault charge
The 22-year-old is charged with assaulting John Friel, by repeatedly punching him on the head and body and kicking him on the body on November 3 last year in Queen Street, Glasgow. The player's lawyer submitted a not guilty plea by letter to Glasgow Sheriff Court, a court official said. A trial date has been set for October 28 at the court. Goodwillie, from Stirling, moved from Dundee United to Blackburn this summer for a fee thought to be £2million. The case was due to be called at court on Thursday but the letter was dealt with by court officials without the need for Goodwillie or his lawyer to appear.