WEST Ham United’s first team coach has appeared in court accused of attacking his former wife.

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient player Ian Hendon, 42, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday, charged with one count of assault by beating.

The court heard the alleged attack happened in the bedroom of a house in Witham, after a night out on August 3 last year.

The couple have since split up, the court was told.

Hendon, of North Street, Hornchurch, who was dressed in a dark suit, spoke only to confirm his name and address during the hearing.

His lawyer asked for the hearing to be heard before May 11 because he has professional commitments abroad this summer.

He was bailed until his trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on April 23.

Hendon began his career as a youth team player at Spurs.

He went on to play for Portsmouth, Orient, Barnsley, Birmingham City, Notts County, Northampton Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnet and Peterborough United.

He moved into managment at Barnet, before joining West Ham’s backroom staff three years ago.