Stephen Crean, hailed as a hero following the Huntingdon train attack, was visibly moved as Nottingham Forest honored him during their match on Sunday. Crean, a devoted fan, witnessed his team secure a 3-1 victory over Leeds United at the City Ground.

Just over a week has passed since the 61-year-old suffered seven stab wounds while bravely defending fellow passengers from a knife-wielding assailant, Anthony Williams, who currently faces 11 charges of attempted murder.

At the game, Crean was granted a special seat in the directors’ box, positioned near club owner Evangelos Marinakis, in recognition of his courage and to show the club’s support during his recovery.

In a heartwarming gesture, Nottingham Forest had already contributed £10,000 to a fundraising campaign that has now accumulated over £60,000. These funds aim to assist Crean financially as he recuperates from his traumatic injuries, which included stab wounds to his head, back, and hands.

During the harrowing incident, Crean’s attacker reportedly shouted, “Do you want to die?” as he launched his violent assault, adding a chilling dimension to the hero’s incredible bravery.

Stephen Crean cut an emotional figure as Nottingham Forest paid tribute to him on Sunday

Fans gave him a standing ovation as they welcomed him back to the City Ground

Huntingdon stabbing victim Stephen Crean at his home in south-west London on Monday

He was stabbed in his head, back, and hands while his attacker shouted ‘Do you want to die?’ 

Marinakis has pledged to support any fans who were injured in the attack. ‘Everyone at Nottingham Forest is shocked and deeply saddened by what happened,’ said Marinakis.

‘The courage and selflessness shown by our supporters on that train represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community.

‘We will make sure any supporter caught up in this incident receives whatever financial support they require to enable them to access the best possible medical care as they recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.’

Manager Sean Dyche said: ‘It’s very brave. Our owner has made clear his support and all our fans support it. They’ve shown care and attention. 

‘The money raised shows the goodwill there is in communities. People are dipping into their pockets when they can and money relieves pressure on people, especially if they are out of work for doing things like that.’ 

Recalling the horrific scenes, Mr Crean, who was returning from watching Nottingham Forest draw 2-2 with Manchester United, said he heard the screams of injured passengers and walked through the buffet car to a carriage where he came face to face with the attacker.

Mr Crean said: ‘He had a great big oversized kitchen knife – it was as if it was a Japanese sword or something. He came towards me and said to me, “Do you want to die?”‘

Mr Crean also sustained an injury to his head in the Huntingdon train attack on Saturday 

Mr Crean said: ‘I got caught on my fingers. He took a swing at this, and a swing at that. I got caught on the head’ 

The train sitting at the platform in Huntingdon, after passengers and rail staff were attacked

He said he confronted the attacker to give another passenger time to close the buffet door behind him – allowing others to hide and potentially preventing dozens of injuries.

Mr Crean, who was subsequently locked in with the knifeman, was stabbed in his left hand, three times in his back, once on his bottom and twice in his head before he managed to find an empty toilet to hide in.

He lay on the floor losing blood, and about ten minutes later, opened the door to find armed police pointing guns at him.

‘There was big banging and kicking and shouting outside. [Armed police] came on board and I said my name, and they said, “Yeah, Stephen, you can open the door”. But even when I opened the door, they had the gun pointing at me to make sure it was me and I hadn’t put on a voice,’ he recalled.

‘They opened the door just for me, it was clever. They didn’t open the whole train, otherwise he’s going to get off.’

Mr Crean was taken by ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he was discharged on Sunday morning last week.

‘I got caught on my fingers. He took a swing at this, and a swing at that. I got caught on the head,’ he said.

‘I was lucky. I got caught on the back a few times. They caught me a few times. The front of me, and my other arm. In the face and everything.’

Mr Crean confronted the alleged attacker on board the LNER service from Doncaster to London

He added: ‘I’m going to need plastic surgery. One finger doesn’t look clever. I’ve had stitches on them all.

‘I don’t know how long it’s going to take.’

Of his decision to fight back, he said: ‘Probably not many people would’ve done it, but then you’re leaving people behind you vulnerable.’

He has been described as a hero and said: ‘It’s lovely that people are saying nice things about me.

‘One woman messaged me on Facebook and said: “You probably saved my daughter’s life.” I never get emotional, but that got to me.

‘I’m not brave. There’s braver people than me. The train guard, the police, and then the guys that got me off the train.’