Five thugs who left a football fan battered, bloodied and unconscious in the street have pleaded guilty to their parts in the crime.

Joseph Lister and Daniel Lloyd, both 19, and a youth who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm against Watford fan Nic Cruwys after Wolves' home clash against the Hornets on March 7 last year.

Ryan Meer, 19, pleaded guilty to affray, and Robert Beech, also 19, pleaded not guilty to affray but guilty to threatening behaviour, which was accepted by the Crown yesterday.

All five were acquitted of grievous bodily harm with intent, after a trial which lasted almost two weeks.

Joseph Lister, of Palmer Close, Wednesfield; Daniel Lloyd, of Longfellow Road, Dudley; Ryan Meer, of Watling Street, Gailey and Robert Beech, from Springhill Road, Wednesfield, all now aged 19, and a 16-year-old from Wolverhampton denied grievous bodily harm with intent.

They will be sentenced on September 9.