A CHARITY football match helped net thousands of pounds for a professional footballer injured after a holiday assault.

Rob Hughes, 28, was attacked by a group of men while on holiday in Crete on June 17.

The pro footballer from Croydon was left blind in one eye and unable to begin the season with Bromley Football Club.

As a result, bosses at the club organised a benefit match and auction at the team's ground in Hayes Lane on September 21 to raise money for Mr Hughes.

Veteran player Micky Collins scored twice for a Bromley team which eventually lost to a Legends XI starring Alan Pardew and former cricketer Alec Stewart.

The 37-year-old said: "We had over 400 people turn up to the event which was absolutely fantastic - we didn't expect that many people there.

"We had an original target of £10,000 but managed to raise about £14,000 in the end.

"Rob was a great player and a promising coach and the day was not just about raising money but it was also a perk for him."