A HUDDERSFIELD woman has appeared in court accused of stealing about £400,000 from a soccer charity.

Anne Stephenson, 45, is alleged to have pocketed the cash over 14 years while office manager of the Footballers' Further Education and Vocational Training Society in Manchester.

Magistrates in Manchester bailed Stephenson, of Lamb Hall Road, Longwood, until January 18, for committal to the city's crown court.

Stephenson was accompanied into court by her husband and a friend.

She offered no plea to 163 specimen counts of theft between 1989 and March last year.

Her lawyer, Jeffrey Woodward, disputed the amount of missing cash and said it was £28,800.

"I understand there will be no further charges and the inquiry is closed," he added.