A DUDLEY man has denied murdering 24-year-old Ryan Passey in a Stourbridge nightclub.

Kobe Murray, of The Broadway, entered a not guilty plea when he appeared at Birmingham Crown Court via video link this morning (Tuesday).

The 19-year-old has been remanded in custody until January 24, when a trial, which is expected to last for two weeks, will take place.

Ryan, a centre midfielder of Stockwell Avenue, Quarry Bank, who had played for a number of borough football clubs, died in hospital after he was stabbed in Chicago's in The Ryemarket on August 6.