The footballer beaten into a coma while he was on holiday has flown back to the Greek resort where he was attacked in a bid to regain some of the 15 years of memory that he lost.

Robbie Hughes, of Wallington, also wants to thank the doctors who helped save his life when he was attacked with a bottle and had his head stamped on outside a Malia nightclub on June 17, 2008.

Mr Hughes, who played for Sutton United and Croydon Athletic, survived four life-saving operations to remove parts of his damaged skull.

Doctors at the time said his recovering was a "miracle".

His mother Maggie has since led a campaign to support British victims left in crisis abroad.

She said: "Mostly Robbie wants to say thanks to those who saved his life.

"But we also want to see if this will trigger his memory.

"Can I say a big thank you to everyone for this support and kind words over the last two years.

"It was so inportant to my family to keep us going on our dark days."