A former footballer, who was beaten into a coma while on holiday five years ago, is embracing his new life as a personal trainer.

Rob Hughes, who played for Bromley FC and Sutton United, was left for dead after being stabbed with a bottle and having his head stamped on by a group of yobs while in Crete in June 2008.

At the time doctors said he had 48 hours to live but the 32-year-old defied odds to survive and has now qualified as a personal trainer after an intensive six-week course.

Mr Hughes, from Croydon, said: "People have lived their life and I have started it again.

"Outside of my family there are a few people that have been there and Bromley’s manager Mark Goldberg has been there and been like a father to me.

"I have my depression but I’m not going to let it affect me.

"I’m enjoying my life more even though it has been destroyed.

"Mark said he knew me in my old life and people like him have kept me so strong.

"When people do something for me it is so powerful and I never forget it but I cannot remember doing things for myself."

He added: "Ex-Palace striker Dougie Freedman has a personal training company and another player who used to play for Crystal Palace contacted me and said I used to be a footballer.

"They helped me to succeed with the course.

"Before I went on the personal training course I thought this is a waste of time I’m never going to be able to pass it because my brain is no good."

He added: "Mark said if you have got a dream you can succeed and my biggest dream is to help people.

"People have helped me so I’m living my life to help as many people as I can.

"You have to give it everything you’ve got to achieve your dreams."