A football coach executed by an assassin in front of his two friends in a park may have been targeted because of his secret life as a drug debt enforcer, an inquest heard.

Ryan Musgrove, 36, died after he was shot by a masked assassin in a park in West Wickham in July 2009.

The gunman opened fire on the father-of-two after leaping from the bushes with a handgun.

As Mr Musgrove collapsed to the floor, the gunman returned to the hedgegrow and collected a black mountain bike, before fleeing in the direction of New Addington.

Police said Mr Musgrove, who was coach of Coney Hall Football Club, was specifically targeted in the attack, and his killer was aware of his movements and knew where he would be most vulnerable.

Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane told Croydon Coroner's Court, it soon became clear from their investigation Mr Musgrove had a compartmentalised life and was involved in criminality.

He said: "On the face of it he was a hard working man, involved in a football team and working as a electrician, but he was also involved in the drugs scene- cultivating cannabis, cannabis farms and at the higher level with drug dealers enforcing debts for them."

The inquest heard Mr Musgrove, of Towpath Way, South Norwood, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have arrested and bailed two people in connection with the murder to date, although one has been ruled out as a suspect.

Recording a verdict of unlawful killing, Coroner Dr Roy Palmer, said: "It is clear Mr Musgrove was unlawfully killed.

"As you heard the officer say, investigations are ongoing and I very much hope they catch who was responsible and that he or she are brought to justice."