Details of how England footballer Sam Harding, 20, died at car meet revealed as defendant appears in court

As previously reported by NationalWorld, 20-year-old Sam Harding died after an incident at a car meet in Warrington on Sunday, April 10, 2022.

Harding, who played football semi-professionally, had represented England as a schoolboy, before pulling the strings in the midfield for the likes of FC United, Glossop North End and Ashton Athletic. Following his death at the car meet, police launched an investigation and charged Mason Hodgson, 23 from Glen Road in Morley, with causing death by dangerous driving.

Now, details of how Harding died have emerged from Warrington Magistrates’ Court, after Hodgson made his first court appearance on October 15.

The court heard how Hodgson and Harding separately attended the car meet in Kingsland Grange, with the former arriving in an Audi S3. Harding had simply attended to watch the other cars driving.

Prosecutor Matthew Dixon said the defendant was driving “at speed” down Kingsland Grange when his vehicle struck Harding, who died as a result of his injuries.

Paying tribute to the Stockport-born footballer after his death, Ashton Athletic chairman Jimmy Whyte said: “Sam was only at our club for one season and was a huge factor in our improved form since his arrival. He is a quiet, well-mannered young man and he will be sorely missed by everyone at the club.

“All our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Hodgson will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on November 19 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.