FOUR young men have denied stabbing a promising young footballer to death and trying to kill his two friends.

Godwin Lawson, 17, and two others were knifed in a park in Hackney, London, on March 27 this year. The teenager, who attended the Oxford United Football and Education Academy, had dreamed of playing for Manchester United.

Moise Avorgah, 19, Daniel Riley, 22, Koffi Osimeh, 19, and Matthew Lanihun, 20, are charged with his murder.

They are also accused of the attempted murder of Godwin’s two friends, aged 18 and 20.

All four were remanded in custody at the Old Bailey yesterday to face trial in January.