Get well wishes have continued to pour in for former Southend United hitman Jeroen Boere following his horrific stabbing in a Japanese nightclub.

More than 300 Shrimpers fans have bombarded the big Dutchman's current club - Second Division J-League side Omija Ardija - with emails as he recovers in hospital from the attack which resulted in him losing his left eye.

The 31-year-old's left arm was also wounded following the assault which took place in a club, near Tokyo, as he was having a drink with his English wife.

Richard Coxell, vice-chairman of the Seasiders' supporters club, led Blues fans' tributes to the ex-West Ham and Crystal Palace striker.

"I haven't been surprised by the positive reaction of Southend supporters because we've always been a decent bunch and were horrified when we heard about the attack on Jeroen," he said.

"It is true that he had a love-hate relationship with our fans, but I think that most of us respected him because he gave as good as he got from the supporters."

Richard also praised Boere's contribution to the Southend side before he left the club on a free transfer for Japan in 1998, following a two-and-half-year spell at Roots Hall.

"Jeroen was our top scorer for two seasons, despite the fact that he was playing in a struggling side," he added.

"However, a player of his ability should have scored more goals than he did at Roots Hall, although we never really played to his strengths by getting quality crosses into the box for him."

Hundreds of messages were sent to Boere via the SUFC ISFA website, who confirmed that one of their members, currently living in Japan, is planning to visit the former Blues forward when he has recovered from his ordeal.

Earlier in the week Boere thanked Southend fans for their support by telling Echosport: "The messages have made me feel so much better.

"They have helped me greatly and it is nice to know that so many Southend supporters care."

Boere, who still owns a house in Epping, joined Southend for £150,000 from Crystal Palace in 1996 and scored 25 goals in 73 league appearances for the Shrimpers.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.