THE family of a children's football coach from East Lothian who has been left with "life-changing head injuries" after being attacked in a "random assault" in Blackpool are now appealing for information to try to catch the culprit.

John Forsyth, from Tranent, travelled to Blackpool with his daughter to watch Hearts FC at a pre-season friendly against Fleetwood on July 27. 

Following the match, the father-of-two was seriously injured in an assault on the Lancashire town's Tyldesley Road, after he attempted to intervene in an altercation.

Police were called at around 1am on July 28 and attended the scene, where they found Mr Forsyth, who is in his fifties, unresponsive on the floor outside The Shores Hotel.

He was taken to hospital with life-changing head injuries.

Mr Forsyth's family have issued a statement and are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, explaining how the incident had "changed his life significantly and will continue to do so".

Lancashire Police have so far interviewed six men in their thirties and a man in his twenties under caution, on suspicion of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

READ MORE: Assault in Blackpool leaves East Lothian man with 'serious injuries'

Enquiries are ongoing.

Mr Forsyth's family said in a statement: “During a trip away with his daughter, something they have done many times before, John was the victim of an unprovoked attack that resulted in a traumatic brain injury.

"Before the attack, John was always active, had his own business and coached children’s football in his local community; all of this has now been impacted by a random assault that has left him with life-changing injuries.

“John’s wife, daughter, son and wider family and friends have been deeply affected by the random nature of the assault and the consequences of his injury. 

"The assault happened on July 28 and John is still in hospital; thankfully, previous medical complications appear to have settled and he is now in rehab.

"He is also now more aware of what happened and he, and the family, are looking for someone to be held responsible for what has happened to him, which has changed his life significantly and will continue to do so.

"This could have been anyone’s dad, son, uncle or friend and so John and the family are asking anyone with any information to help identify the individuals involved to come forward to hopefully prevent this happening to anyone else.”

Scott Gillies, who has known John for more than 30 years through their mutual support for Hearts FC, shared how the pair have been on many trips to games together "without a single bit of trouble."

He said: "He’s a gentlemen, total family man who also dedicates a lot of his time to coaching youth football.

"It’s an absolute travesty that this has happened to him and I pray he makes a full recovery.

"I also hope the culprits are caught and dealt with in the strongest of terms as this was a completely unprovoked attack."

Robert McNeill, chairman of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said: “I have known John personally for many years, and was shocked and saddened when I heard this terrible news.

“John is a lovely guy and would help anyone no matter what. I really hope the police get the perpetrators for this assault.

“I am sure that the whole community of Tranent is behind John and his family at this difficult time.”

The police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the assault, who was on Tyldesley Road at about 1am on July 28, or who has dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area to get in contact. 

Email 3291@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 0103 of July 28, 2024, with information.