Geoff Hurst Hurst's remorse at property trial

ENGLAND World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst has told the High Court that he felt "some remorse" at allowing his name to "to be used and abused" in a Spanish property scheme.

Sir Geoff, famous for scoring a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley, has joined forces with six other investors to sue businessman Mark Cordner for a total of 2 million. He alleges his personal loss is 600,000.

They claim that, because of Mr Cordner's alleged deceit, negligent misstatement, breach of fiduciary duty and wrongful conspiracy, they handed over the full purchase price – upfront and without security – for seven off-plan apartments in a development called Aloha Royal, near Marbella.

They say their rights over the properties have now either been destroyed or rendered worthless.

Sir Geoff, 68, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, told Mr Justice Keith in London: "I feel some remorse at becoming involved and allowing my name to be used and abused in the way it has been.

"Most of the people I have been associated with have been very forgiving of my role."

Mr Cordner, of Park Lane, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, admits he made some of the representations alleged by the seven: Sir Geoff, David Barkley, Darren Innocent, Terence Hopley, Paul Kenyon, Martin Roberts and Verna Roberts. But he denies they were made deceitfully or negligently and says that he, too, was the victim of a Michael Hone, whose whereabouts are unknown, in that he had invested and lost his own money, time and reputation in Aloha Royal and another development, Aldea Beach.

Counsel Peter Knox, QC, claimed that Mr Cordner was "in partnership" with Mr Hone.

Sir Geoff said he met Mr Hone and Mr Cordner in June 2003 and was offered an apartment as part of a three-year image rights contract to promote the properties through appearances and media endorsements.