Vicarage Road was awash with emotion on Saturday afternoon as Watford performed a show of solidarity for Nic Cruwys , the fan left fighting for his life in hospital . Cruwys was shockingly set upon by a group thugs on his way back to Wolverhampton train station from Molineux last week and is in a critical condition . The 44-year-old had been in the Midlands to watch his side draw 2-2 in the Championship . Watford ’ s players warmed up with ‘ For Nic ’ T-shirts in show of support for injured fan Nic Cruwys . Watford performed a show of solidarity for Mr Cruwys , the fan left fighting for his life in hospital . Watford ’ s players warmed up with t-shirts reading ‘ For Nic ’ and the club dedicated their matchday programme to him with the message ‘ thinking of Nic - showing the strength of the Watford FC family ’ . Members of Nic ’ s family were given a rousing reception on the pitch before the game against Reading , with all four sides of the stadium on its feet in applause - then mirrored just before the break . A banner behind one goal simply read : ‘ Best wishes Nic “ Moo ” , we are all thinking of you ... From your Watford FC family. ’ Two teenagers , 13 and 18 , have been arrested and bailed until April after the attack . A heartfelt message of support for Mr Cruwys was displayed on a large banner before the game . Mr Cruwys was in a critical but stable condition at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on Saturday . Chief executive Scott Duxbury wrote in the programme to address the ‘ horrendous events ’ of seven days ago . ‘ Everyone who works for Watford has had Nic Cruwys in their thoughts since last Saturday ’ s sick and unprovoked attack , ’ Duxbury said . ‘ I ’ d like all Watford fans to be aware just what a positive impact the support you ’ ve shown towards Nic and his family has had . An online appeal to raise funds to help Mr Cruwys , set up by a Wolves fan , has raised more than £25,000 . A fund set up to raise money for the Watford fan has raised more than £25,000 to date . Troy Deeney helped Watford secure a 4-1 victory against Reading on Saturday . ‘ Nic was simply enjoying a day out at an away match with his friends when he suffered a callous , calculated and unprovoked assault . Any one of us coming away from the stadium could have suffered as Nic has . ‘ You ’ ll no doubt be aware of the online fund set up to benefit Nic and his family . The total raised is now £25,000 and , while money can not wipe away what has happened , I am aware that the gesture has been extremely well received . ‘ In closing I find it very difficult to come to terms with what has happened . I can only take solace from the fact I know everyone connected with this football club will do everything to help and support Nic. ’ Sixteen-year-old Ollie Floyd , a Wolves supporter , whose idea it was to start the fund was interviewed and given a warm reception on the pitch at half-time . Anyone with information is urged to call Wolverhampton 's Violent Crime Team on 101 or to pass on information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Watford fan Nick Cruwys was attacked after watching his team play Wolves . He was walking to Wolverhampton train station when the attack took place . Cruwys was left with a serious head injury and is in an induced coma . READ : Neil Ashton on the attack - football must start to meet the needs of supporters inside AND outside stadium .