Family of injured Pompey fan gives thanks for club's generous donation

Mr Bache, 51, known as Pepe, is on a long road to recovery after he was attacked by Russian Ultras ahead of the first England match in Marseille at Euro 2016 last month.

On Saturday, 10 per cent of the away gate at the Sutton United FC v Pompey match was donated to his fund, as well as a bucket collection. The total attendance at the match was 1,188.

Previously more than £27,000 was raised to fly Mr Bache back to Portsmouth from La Timone in Marseille.

Sutton manager Paul Doswell said: ‘We heard about what had happened to Andrew during the Euros and we wanted to do something to help.

‘We knew we were going to be playing Pompey on Saturday so we thought that would be the perfect opportunity to do something. That’s why we decided to make the match a sort of charity match.

‘The bucket collection we also had at the game seemed to be going really well, too.’

The total figure raised at the pre-season friendly is not yet known.

Posting on a fundraising page, Dean Bache, Mr Bache’s brother, said: ‘He has fully woken from the semi-conscious state he was in and his eyes are fully open and he is a lot more aware of what’s going on.

‘He tries to communicate with you now and is talking loads, although very quietly.

‘Some of it is mumbled, but he can certainly answer yes and no to questions, and there is a lot of conversation.’

He added: ‘Also a big thanks to Sutton United for donating a percentage of their gate money on Saturday. Thanks for everyone’s efforts and donations.’

French prosecutors said 150 well-trained Russians were behind much of the disorder at Euro 2016.

A small number of England fans were jailed but not in connection with the attack on Mr Bache, a supermarket worker for Tesco.

Writing on the fundraising page yesterday, Dean added: ‘Just a reminder to let people know that currently Andrew Bache ‘Pepe’ is currently not allowed any visitors at all, including family.

‘This is due to the fact that he has been so restless and agitated due to the amount of visitors and stimulation and it has been affecting his breathing.’

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