Stan Collymore is suing financial advisers, claiming their professional negligence cost him almost £1 million.

The former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker says says he lost around £980,000 through investments made shortly before he quit the game six years ago.

The 36-year-old from Cannock, now forging a career as a football pundit, is taking court action against financial adviser Interlink Premier Network which went into administration in 2004.

He is also suing financial adviser Mark Francis who trades as Chase Independent Financial Advice and is fighting the action. Collymore first consulted him in January 2001, the year he retired from professional football.

Collymore’s agent Paul Mace said today: “We can confirm that Stan is taking court action in connection with these matters but at this time – pending the outcome of the proceedings – we are not able to comment further.”

Divorced father-of-two Collymore recently put his five bedroom home in Cannock on the market for almost £1 million but friends said today that this move was not linked to the pending court action. The case is expected to be heard before Christmas.

Chase Independent Financial Advice are based in Cannock. A woman at the offices said today: “You will have to talk to Mr Francis about this court case and he is not available to comment at the moment.”