Nic Cruwys attack: Father-in-law thanks football fans for support

Alan Betteress thanked Wolves fan, Ollie Floyd for setting up the fund and spoke about attending Watford's last match against Reading.

Posting on the Nic Cruwys Future Fund page, which now stands at more than £34,600, Mr Betteress said: "Hello it's Moo's father-in-law Alan, on behalf of the family and friends of Nic 'Moo' Cruwys who attended Saturday's match against Reading as guests of Watford FC.

"We would like to convey our sincere thanks to the directors, staff and players and last, but not least, the crowd for their support and very moving tribute to Nic.

"To say we were all left emotionally drained would be an understatement - especially on hearing thousands of voices singing 'pray for Nic Cruwys, he's one of our own'.

"Watford Football Club is truly a premier family club.

"It was also wonderful to meet Ollie and his family and we would like to send him our heartfelt thanks and to everyone for their continued love and wishes for Nic's recovery and hope all our prayers are answered. Thank you."

Ollie also spoke on the Watford pitch and later posted: "I got the chance to meet a number of Nic's close family, which was really nice. They are honestly the most genuinely lovely family you could hope to meet. As well as this, I got the chance to speak on the pitch and help further publicise the cause, which was a good experience.

"I'd like to say once again a huge thanks to everyone who has been involved in this campaign. I've seen comments that have almost brought a tear to my eye, so I can't help but think it's been a huge help for Nic's family being able to read all your kind comments at this immensely difficult time."

Mr Cruwys, a 44-year-old father of two, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after the attack in Little's Lane after the Wolves vs Watford match on March 7.

Mr Cruwys, from Hemel Hempstead, was with friends when he was assaulted in what police called an 'unprovoked attack on an innocent family man'.

So far, five arrests have been made over the attack.

An 18-year-old was held in Stafford on Monday, before being bailed.

A 14-year-old who was arrested in Parkfields on Tuesday has also been bailed pending further inquiries.

Three other teenagers, two aged 18 and a 13-year-old were arrested last week and have been bailed.

Players at Watford and Wolves have appealed for people to help police with inquires, as has Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey.

Honorary Watford president Sir Elton John said he was 'shocked and saddened' by what happened and said he and his husband David Furnish would be making a financial contribution to the fund.