Joey Barton, 43, and another man, 50-year-old Gary O’Grady, have been charged with section 18 wounding with intent following an alleged serious assault at the Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in Liverpool. The victim of the assault has been identified as Kevin Lynch, the head teacher at NexGen Academy in Dovecot, a school catering to children with additional educational needs. Lynch is currently in a serious but stable condition in the hospital.
Merseyside Police confirmed the charges, stating that emergency services responded to reports of the assault on Sunday night. The victim suffered serious injuries to his face and body and was hospitalized. Both men were subsequently arrested.
Kevin Lynch, known for his non-league football career, previously managed City of Liverpool. Lynch transitioned into coaching after his playing days, working with various teams in the non-league football pyramid. He managed Marine, Colwyn Bay, and Prescot Cables, guiding the latter away from relegation in the Northern Premier League West before resigning in 2023 for personal reasons.
In 2024, Lynch took charge of City of Liverpool but faced backlash from supporters due to poor results, leading to his departure after just 50 days.