Ex-Millers star beaten by robbers

Dick was left with his cheek bone broken in three places in the attack by three robbers who broke into his house in Holling Moor Lane, Wickersley.

“I can't really remember what happened, but I think one of them must have hit me and I just dropped to the floor,” said former Rotherham United striker DIck, who is now recovering from his ordeal at home.

“I remember coming round when I was flat on the floor.

“My head was a right mess and I couldn't feel anything.

The drama began when Dick and his wife Jenny (60) were woken by the sound of the robbers battering down their front door in the early hours of last Wednesday.

As the balaclava-clad robbers came down the hall, Dick tried  to keep them out of the bedroom, but was overpowered.

The men prised open the door and then ripped the phone wire out of the wall before Jenny was able to speak to the police.

The robbers demanded cash and then clouted Dick (61) across his face with the iron bar, leaving him momentarily unconscious.

“We were doing everything they said so I don't understand why they hit me. “It’s not like we were resisting,” said Dick.

The men stole about £2,000 in cash and some  jewellery after forcing Jenny to open the couple’s safe.

Dick was taken to Rotherham General Hospital, where he received stitches to a wound near his right eye. He  was told by surgeons he will need an operation to insert a metal plate to fix his broken cheek bone.

South Yorkshire Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the raid at 12.40am last Wednesday to call them on 0114 220 2020.