The 63-year-old entered the guilty pleas at the beginning of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The ex-Crewe Alexandra coach is charged with a total of 55 offences, including 42 counts of indecent assault, 11 counts of buggery and two counts of attempted buggery.

A jury is expected to be sworn in for his trial on the outstanding charges later on Monday.

The charges relate to 12 complainants and are alleged to have happened between 1979 and 1991, when the alleged victims were boys aged between eight and 15.

Bennell entered the pleas when he appeared via videolink in court wearing a grey jumper.