THE wife of a football fan who was left for dead following an attack after a match last year has spoken of his incredible recovery.

Watford FC fan Nic Cruwys, who was 44 when he was attacked on March 7 last year, was beaten to a pulp after he was set upon by thugs following the Championship game against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, which finished a 2-2 draw.

Mr Cruwys’ head and brain injuries were so severe that his wife Jodie was warned by medics that he might not pull through following the brutal beating.

Mrs Cruwys, 39, from Hemel Hempstead, said: “Just from going to that football match, his life and my life was changed completely.

“The doctors told me initially that they didn’t think he would survive, but with the help of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, and charity Headway in Hertfordshire, he has been able to recover. But it has been a long journey.

"The most difficult thing for Nic is that he looks so good, that people just assume he’s made a full recovery, when in fact he still has to live with the result of the attack every day."

Doctors had thought Mr Cruwys would have problems communicating following the attack, because the part of his brain that was damaged is the part responsible for speech.

“Nic’s speech is surprisingly fine,” Mrs Cruwys added.

“The only thing he has problems with is word retrieval – for example, looking at an object and trying to describe it, or thinking of the right word to describe a situation.

“I know it frustrates him that he hasn’t be able to return to work or drive, but he’s done so incredibly well, we’re all so proud of what he’s achieved.”

Five teenagers admitted their roles in the attack at Wolverhampton Crown Court on August 18.

Joseph Lister, from Wednesfield, and Daniel Lloyd, from Sedgley, both 19, and a 16-year-old who cannot be identified because of his age, admitted pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm at Wolverhampton Crown Court on August 18.

Ryan Meer, 19, from Gailey, admitted pleaded guilty to affray and Robert Beech, also 19, from Wednesfield, admitted threatening behaviour.

They had all previously denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but admitted the pleaded guilty to lesser charges.