"A trial which has exposed the astonishing scramble for a slice of the revenue generated by the England prodigy Wayne Rooney took another twist yesterday when full details emerged of how the football legend Kenny Dalglish allegedly invited a "notorious gangster" to help conclude a deal.
The meeting, in November 2002 at a hotel near Heathrow airport, was attended by Mr Stretford, Mr McIntosh and associates, including Mr Hyland, Mr Dalglish (a major Proactive shareholder) and Mr Adams. It became heated as Mr Hyland and others became angry that Mr Stretford would not agree to a deal on their terms.
The jury also watched a video yesterday of the moment Mr Stretford was confronted by Mr Hyland at another meeting, at the Daresbury hotel in Cheshire last June - the events of which are the focus of the trial. Mr Stretford was explaining to Peter Lockwood, another McIntosh associate, why he could not sign over half of Rooney's earnings for 10 years when Mr Hyland stormed in, flanked by Christopher and Anthony Bacon. Mr Hyland then shouted: "I've given you manners [but] you've shown me no respect." Mr Stretford got to his feet, but Mr Hyland shouted: "Don't start showing me your bollocks. Don't you tell me what to do, you bollocks. You put pen to paper now. I've had enough of you, you little prick. You're a bully when you want to be a bully. Don't start on me now. Sort this deal out now. I want this done today. That's the last time you see me, Paul. Sign that paper." The film showed Anthony Bacon, 34, standing to the right of Mr Stretford, who was sitting at a table, while Mr Hyland shouted into his face and banged the table with his fist. Christopher Bacon, 38, was also seen to lean into Mr Stretford's face and say: "I'm the muscle."
Arise Sir Kenneth, we celebrate your contribution to the City of Liverpool etc etc etc.
