A FORMER Accrington Stanley player has denied blackmailing a top Premier League player.

Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, of Middleton, Manchester, pleaded not guilty at the city’s Crown Court to demanding £15,000 from the unnamed star.

He is charged with making an unwarranted demand for money from the player with menaces between March and April last year.

Timms spoke only to enter his not guilty plea and to acknowledge bail conditions during the 20-minute hearing.

Judge Andrew Gilbart QC set a trial date for August 11 and upheld a previous ruling by magistrates that the Premier League player could not be named.

Timms was granted an extension of his bail and ordered to report to a police station twice a week.

He was also ordered not to have contact with a prosecution witness.

The Manchester-born goalkeeper is currently without a club.

He played with Manchester City’s under-19 side and had spells at Altrincham, Atherton LR, Curzon Ashton, Mossley, Shrewsbury Town, Runcorn and Accrington Stanley.

He has also had trials at Norwich City, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Oldham and Macclesfield.

He joined Cambridge City in January on non-contract terms but has since left.