A PENSIONER received a personal apology from Motherwell FC after he was attacked by FELLOW fans while following his heroes chase for European glory.

Two yobs left life-long 'Well fan Jim Miller lying in a pool of blood after an unprovoked attack during Motherwell's 3-0 win over Welsh team Llanelli.

The 78-year-old, who is a well-known Motherwell fan, had travelled south to Wales for Motherwell's 1st round EUROPA Cup tie on the same supporters bus as the two thugs.

But in the dying seconds of the match widower Jim was savagely attacked by the neds after asking them to stay in their seats.

Welsh police arrested the men at the time of the incident but later released the two 24-year-olds without charge.

Officials from the Lanarkshire club have since visited Jim at his home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, in the wake of the incident, reassuring him the culprits will not set foot in Fir Park again.

A get well card from the club was given to Jim, an ex-squaddie with the Black watch, who is famous among the ranks of claret and amber for his colourful match-day outfit.

Jim was even visited by club legend Dougie Arnott after he heard about the attack.

But plucky Jim has brushed off his injuries and joked he would have been safer going to Albania to watch the Steelmen rather than travel to Wales.

Jim said: "It all happened so quickly.

"One thing I was cheering the team to a 3-0 win then the next I am lying on the floor.

"The club have been fantastic with me, I can't say enough about them.

"I even had a visit from Dougie Arnott, but I didn't realise who it was until after he left.

"Of all the years of following Motherwell I never expected me to come back up the road at my age with two black eyes.

"I would have been safer travelling to Albania. The club had issued a travel warning saying they didn't think it would be a good idea to travel to Albania but after what happened to me I don't know how much worse it could get."

Jim had travelled down to the match with his son Kevin and son-in-law John on a Motherwell supporters bus last Thursday morning.

During the match three men constantly stood up in front of the pensioner but after asking them to sit down Jim was assaulted by two of the fans.

Horrified fellow supporters rushed to Jim's aid while police arrested the two yobs.

Jim added: "A group of fans came over and helped me up.

"One man held my nose because it was bleeding so much.

"I didn't even get to see extra time."

A spokesman for Motherwell FC was unavailable for comment, however the Lanarkshire club have promised to give Jim the VIP treatment on his next visit to Fir Park.