Nottingham Forest supports hero during attack
Nottingham Forest have contributed £10,000 to a fundraising campaign for Stephen Crean, a devoted supporter who suffered seven knife wounds whilst confronting an assailant during a mass stabbing incident on Saturday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The 61-year-old London-based fan was returning from Forest’s fixture at the City Ground against Manchester United when the assault occurred on the 18.25 LNER service from Doncaster to King’s Cross. His brave intervention during the attack, which left ten people injured, has been credited with potentially preventing further casualties.
Crean’s selfless actions have resonated throughout the football community and beyond. The confrontation unfolded as he heard passengers screaming and proceeded through the buffet carriage, where he encountered the assailant brandishing what he described as “a great big oversized kitchen knife – it was as if it was a Japanese sword or something.”
In a direct challenge, the attacker asked Crean, “Do you want to die?” before inflicting multiple wounds — to his left hand, three strikes to his back, one to his bottom, and two to his head. Despite these severe injuries, Crean’s actions allowed another passenger time to secure the buffet door, enabling others to find safety and potentially preventing dozens of additional casualties.
The fundraising initiative, started by fellow Forest supporters who know Crean from his years of attending matches, initially aimed to collect £500. Contributions quickly surpassed £46,000, with the club’s £10,000 donation arriving on Wednesday. Beyond financial support, Nottingham Forest has also offered additional gestures of appreciation.
Reports indicate that the club has granted Crean a complimentary season ticket for next year and invited him to accompany the squad on a Europa League journey, including accommodation at the team hotel and hospitality in the directors’ box. Prominent contributors to the fundraising effort include former Forest manager Martin O’Neill, underlining the widespread recognition of Crean’s courage.
This tragic incident resulted in charges against Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, who faces eleven counts of attempted murder — ten from the train attack and one from a previous incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station. Other victims included Scunthorpe United defender Jonathan Gjoshe and rail worker Samir Zitouni.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis pledged comprehensive financial assistance for affected supporters, highlighting their “courage and selflessness,” which “represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community.”
Crean remains characteristically modest about his actions, asserting: “I’m not brave. There are braver people than me. The train guard, the police, and then the guys that got me off the train.” In an age where headlines often spotlight sensationalism, Crean’s understated bravery offers a stark reminder of the human spirit unwavering in the face of violence.
