Footie stars turn out in honour of coach left for dead after holiday attack (From Croydon Guardian)

Footie stars turn out in honour of coach left for dead after holiday attack

7:32am Monday 29th September 2008 in News By Julia Kennard

A footballer beaten into a coma and left for dead was swamped by young fans at a charity match held in his honour.

Robert Hughes, 28, said dozens of children he used to coach football greeted him at the game between Bromley FC and Sutton United at Hayes Lane on September 28.

The former Sutton United player, who doctors once feared would not survive the attack on June 17 outside the Candy Club in Malia, Crete, said he was moved by their enthusiastic support.

He said: "It’s not the same without me coaching them and that they said they hadn’t wanted to train since I was not there and because of what had happened.

"But I told them they had to keep training and not stop for me. If they’ve got a passion they’ve got to follow it.

"I can’t wait to get back out there and join them - as soon as I’m fit I’ll be back coaching again.’’ More than £14,000 raised from the match will go to a campaign launched by Robert’s family and friends called Please Enjoy Don't Destroy to stop violence abroad and support victims left critically ill in hospital.

"I won’t rest until these thugs are locked away."

Maggie Hughes

Gillingham legends Andy Hessenthaler and Peter Taylor joined Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock, Charlton Athletic boss Alan Pardew and former England cricket captain Alec Stewart at the game.

Other football personalities included Darren Barnard, Justin Edinburgh, John Salako and Kit Symons and Bromley manager Mark Goldberg, whose son Robert used to coach.

Robert said: "It was a really good day, I saw a lot of friends and people I haven't seen for a while and it was great to see some football.’’ Since returning home with his fiancee Charlotte Kemp, 26, a nurse, one more independent witness has come forward.

The family have also reported several sightings of his attackers who were allowed to return to their homes in Surrey and Sussex because of a Greek legal loophole.

Robert’s case is now in a queue waiting to be seen by the Greek prosecutor but the family have become increasingly incensed by what they see as lack of police action in both countries.

Member of Parliament for Sutton Tom Brake met with the Greek ambassador in London on Wednesday and the family have taken much of the investigation into their own hands, launching an appeal for more witnesses on social networking internet site Facebook: Malia witnesses needed.

Robert’s mum Maggie said, 55, said: "I won’t rest until these thugs are locked away."