A FOOTBALLER who lost his memory following a brutal beating has made an emotional and unexpected return to first team football.

Rob Hughes spent more than a month in a coma after being attacked by a group of Brits outside a night club in the Greek resort of Malia last year.

However the 29-year-old has made a giant leap on the road to recovery by making his debut for his new team, Bromley Football Club.

Despite being told he would never play again, Mr Hughes has been given permission to return to competitive football by doctors on the condition that he sports a protective headguard during training and matches.

And the Croydon resident made an instant impact on his return to action by setting up a goal for Bromley in a 3-0 away win against Carshalton on Saturday (July 18).

He played again just three days later when Bromley beat Cray Wanderers on Tuesday evening (July 21).

However he was upset that some fans barracked him for wearing a protective skull cap similar to the one sported by Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Cech.

Mr Hughes said: “It does feel really good to be on the pitch as there was obviously big fears that I wouldn’t play again.

“There were a few fans shouting out at me ‘Peter Cech’ comments, it wasn’t nice but these people don’t realise that when you play your first game for over a year you play with quite a lot of fear.”

News Shopper: Rob Hughes nearly lost his life in the attack in Malia, Greece, last year

When Mr Hughes emerged from the coma paralysed he had to be taught to walk again but now says he is in the best shape of his life after undertaking a rigorous fitness and skills regime which sees him train around four hours a day.

The winger has now signed on a pay as you play basis for the Conference South side.

The midfielder still struggles with his memory and can hardly recall any of his life between the ages of 20 and 27.

However he received a standing ovation from U’s fans when he was paraded in front of them at a home match in March this year in an effort to jog his memory.

The former Oxford United player said: “It’s very hard but some memories are coming back to me.

“They say I played for Oxford United but I don’t remember playing any games.

“I am in the best shape of my life now though and I think after what these people have done to me the best way to pay them back is to prove that I’ve still got it and to get on with my life.”

Bromley manager Mark Goldberg, formerly chairman at Crystal Palace, said: “Rob did very well especially considering that it was his first game back.

“He’s working extremely hard at the moment to build up his fitness and its fair to say he’s worked on his technical game more than any other amateur player or professional this pre-season.”

News Shopper: In action against Carshalton on Saturday (July 18)