A disabled Bolton Wanderers supporter has been left 'petrified' and 'scared to leave home' after being brutally attacked outside a chippy.
Johnathan Morris, 27, was on his way to meet a friend when he was set upon near the Olympus fish and chip restaurant in Bolton town centre late at night.
Over a five minute period, he was repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on by two men before being left for dead in a back alley.
Despite being severely injured, Johnathan - who suffers from Noonan Syndrome, a genetic developmental disorder - managed to crawl to a nearby bus stop and asked a driver for help.
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He was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital where doctors told him he had suffered severe concussion and a fractured cheek bone.
The attack happened just moments after Johnathan had got off a bus at Bolton Interchange at about 10.15pm on August 1.
Following the assault, he has continued to suffer headaches and blurred vision, according to his sister-in-law Sasha Hamilton.
Fortunately, a brain scan came back all clear, however Ms Hamilton says Johnathan has been left terrified by what happened.
"He doesn't understand why," she said.
"He's scared to leave home now, it's awful.
"When we got the phone call to say what had happened, our hearts just sank.
"His injuries were horrific. He was bleeding really badly from his mouth, nose and eyes."
A passionate Bolton Wanderers supporter, Johnathan normally dresses as the club's mascot, Lofty the Lion, on match days.
After learning about the attack, the club has handed him a season ticket and several items of memorabilia.
"He was delighted with that," said Ms Hamilton.
"The club's response has been amazing.
"Johnathan doesn't miss a match home or away. He absolutely loves it."
However, Ms Hamilton said she worries about the long-term impact the attack will have on Johnathan.
"It has taken so many years to build his independence so he can go out and feel safe," she explained.
"That's been snatched away from him and he is really struggling with that.
"As a family, it has broken our hearts to see him in all that pain, but at the same time we are so angry and disgusted that someone could do this."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said two men aged 36 and 41 were under investigation in relation to the incident.
Anyone with information on the attack is asked to call police, referencing incident number 3461 of 01/08/2021 online via www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101.
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