Watford fan Nic Cruwys will make the journey to Merseyside this weekend for the Hornets’ long awaited return to the Premier League.

The father-of-two has been recovering after he was attacked by a gang after Watford’s 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, March 7.

He was put into an induced coma after the attack, and was then moved to a specialist rehabilitation unit to continue his recovery.

But four months on from the attack, Mr Cruwys is having speech and occupational therapy as he tries to regain a normal life.

The milkman, affectionately known as “Moo”, is now living at home with his wife and two children in Hemel Hempstead after months of treatment.

He will join around 3,000 Hornets supporters this Saturday on their first Premier League journey of the season.

“He is really looking forward to the new season and will be going to Everton on Saturday,” his wife Jodie Cruwys told the Watford Observer. “He’s going with the family and he is really excited about that.”

Mrs Cruwys continued: “It is great to have him home.

“We are not having to go to the hospital every afternoon but we are still having to take him to occupational therapy and speech therapy sessions.

“He is just doing what he can. He has a really good mate who is taking him to the gym because he is much weaker than he was. He is hoping to go back to work.

“We do not know if he will, but that is what we are hoping.

“We are hoping his short-term memory will improve and his movement, which is what the occupational therapy is helping with.”

The milkman was invited to Watford’s London Colney training ground this morning and was presented with two season tickets for the forthcoming Premier League season.

Mrs Cruwys said: “He was given the season ticket by Troy Deeney earlier today and spoke to him briefly at the open day on Sunday, which was nice.”

Watford captain Deeney told Sky Sports News: “I thought the situation, which was unpleasant, brought everyone together. Not just us. The fans came together. It felt like one of our own had been hurt.

“It was definitely a key factor as to why we managed to get a decent run towards the end of the season. From that moment it was not just about us. It was about Nic.”

Jodie Cruwys added: “The club’s support has been amazing. They have been really supportive, which I think Nic thanked them for.

“He thanked them on behalf of the family.

“Nic was really excited about today and his nephew was really excited because he got a signed football. There were a lot of new players there and he enjoyed being given an insight into the new signings.”

  • Six teenagers have been charged in connection with the attack on Mr Cruwys.
  • Three 18-year-olds and a 14-year-old boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons - were charged on Sunday with wounding with intent.
  • These were Daniel Lloyd, a student, 18, of Tillington Street, Stafford, Joseph Lister, a carpenter, 18, of Palmer Close, Wednesfield and Robert Beech, 18, an estate agent, of Springhill Road, Wednesfield.
  • Ryan Meer, an 18-year-old scaffolder, was also charged with wounding with intent on Monday, August 3. A 14-year-old boy was also charged with the same offence
  • The men are due to appear before Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on 18 September. The two boys are due before Wolverhampton Youth Court on 20 September.
  • An 18-year-old and a 17-year-old remain on police bail while five others will have no further action taken against them.