Barry Bennell has been charged with eight offences of sexual assault against a boy under the age of 14, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
The 62-year-old former Crewe Alexandra coach faces the charges after prosecutors reviewed a case file handed to them by Cheshire Police.
Five of the charges concern the alleged indecent assault on a boy under 14 years of age.
Bennell has also been charged with two counts of inciting a boy under 14 years of age to commit an act of gross indecency, and one count of assault with intent to commit buggery.
The offences are alleged to have been committed between 1981 and 1985.
He is due to appear at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court on 14 December.
A spokesman for the CPS said: “On 27 September 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence from Cheshire Police relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse involving a former football coach, Barry Bennell.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Bennell will now begin and that he has a right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Bennell previously worked for Crewe, Manchester City, Stoke as well junior teams in the north west and the Midlands.