A LOCAL football manager was in intensive care with serious head injuries after falling victim to a horror attack at last week's Cheltenham Festival.
Stephen Jones, who lives in Barry and manages Cardiff Airport Football Club, suffered a skull fracture, bleed on the brain, bruising and swelling after being attacked at the races on March 12.
Mr Jones attends the event every year on a boys day out, but this year's trip ended in tragedy with Mr Jones rushed to Gloucester Hospital before being transferred to Southmead Hospital's intensive care unit in Bristol.
Mr Jones' fiancée Kerry-Anne O’Brien said he was unconscious for ten minutes after the attack and does not remember anything of it.
Gloucestershire Constabulary has launched an appeal to find out more information about the incident.
Ms O’Brien says Mr Jones is getting better, although he is still in hospital.
Mr Jones is manager of local football team Cardiff Airport - a post he has held for over 20 years.
The club had to postpone their game against Tonyrefail BGC last weekend, but the game in the SWFA Senior Cup at home to FC Cwmamman this coming weekend is set to go ahead.
On Mr Jones’ status, Ms O’Brien said: “He is getting there. It’s going to be a long road, but hopefully he will be home soon.”
Mr Jones' best friend and Cardiff Airport chairman Steven Jones described him as a well-known and much-liked member of the Barry community.
“The whole club wish him a speedy recovery,” the club chairman said. “The club want to convey all their best wishes to the family and we will be there for anything he needs.”
Police launch appeal after incident at Cheltenham Festival
Gloucestershire Constabulary has launched an appeal to find out more information after the attack.
A spokesperson for the force said: "We are appealing for witnesses to come forward after an assault in Cheltenham on Tuesday evening (March 12) left a man in hospital with serious injuries.
"A man was reported as initially throwing a drink into the face of the victim, before a second man then punched the same victim, causing him to fall to the floor unconscious.
"The incident happened on Portland Street at around 6.50pm.
"The victim, a man in his fifties, was taken to Southmead Hospital where he remains with serious head injuries.
"A 28-year-old man from the Telford area was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.
"Officers are now appealing for anyone with information, or has mobile phone footage of the incident, to get in touch.
"They are particularly keen to speak to a man in a distinctive purple suit, who is believed to have been at the scene at the time.
"Anybody with information is asked to contact Gloucestershire Constabulary through the website, quoting incident 394 of March 12."
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