Geoff Hurst, 68, was the biggest loser after investing in three off-plan properties in a complex near Puerto Banus on the Costa del Sol.

Yesterday at the High Court in London, Peter Knox QC, representing the claimants, said all of them except Sir Geoff were friends of Mr Cordner who had also acted as their financial adviser.The former West Ham and England centre-forward, who is due to give evidence on Monday, was persuaded to present a 10-minute promotional video which will be played in court next week.Yesterday it was claimed investors were told they could more than double their money if they bought the properties before they were built.One allegedly agreed to plough his savings into the scheme after being told Sir Geoff’s World Cup team mate Martin Peters was buying a property there, which was not true.Mr Knox said Martin Roberts was told Mr Cordner had bought apartments at the site “in bulk”, putting them at a substantial discount.It was also alleged that the defendant falsely told Mr Roberts that Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp had bought a place there.Mr Knox said the group had been deceived into handing over the cash to Mr Cordner and Mr Hone.