Francesca Donovan, UniLad, June 6, 2017

Roy Larner was drinking in the Black & Blue bar when the attackers entered brandishing knives. The Millwall fan, who has been aptly described as ‘fearless’ rushed to defend his fellow Londoners.

Larner, of Peckham, South East London, was badly injured in his brave attempts to fight off the armed attackers.

The 47-year-old was taken to St Thomas’ Hospital in critical condition and had surgery to wounds on his head, fingers and chest after he single-handedly managed to ward them off.

As Roy was taken off the critical list by doctors on Sunday and the hero recovers in hospital, his relieved friends have displayed that quintessential British resolve and humour in the face of evil.

Roy recalled the moment the attackers struck, saying:

They had these long knives and started shouting about Allah. Then it was, ‘Islam, Islam, Islam’. Like an idiot I shouted back at them. I thought, ‘I need to take the piss out of these bastards.

I took a few steps towards them and said, ‘Fuck you, I’m Millwall’. So they started attacking me. I stood in front of them trying to fight them off. Everyone else ran to the back.

I was on my own against all three of them, that’s why I got hurt so much. It was just me, trying to grab them with my bare hands and hold on. I was swinging.

Roy described the injuries he sustained through his bravery, saying:

I got stabbed and sliced eight times. They got me in my head, chest and both hands. There was blood everywhere. They were saying, ‘Islam, Islam!’. I said again, ‘Fuck you, I’m Millwall!’ It was the worst thing I could have done as they carried on attacking me.

Luckily, none of the blows were straight at me or I’d be dead. All three were on me. I couldn’t hold them back. Two got past me and I was one-on-one. He kept slashing and hacking away at me. They were stabbing and slashing at me as I waved my arms for 20 or 30 seconds.

There was loads of noise. No one knew what was happening. Then the bouncers tried to shut the door. The terrorists were pushing against the doors to get in. Everyone inside was running around in panic. A few tried to get out the back and others hid under tables or behind counters.

The die-hard Millwall football fan told The Sun:

I didn’t think of my safety at the time. I’d had four or five pints – nothing major. I can handle myself. But I was out with an old person and it was out of order. It wasn’t until I was in a police car that I realised I was in a bad way. I’d been sliced up all over.

Well-wishers have since pledged more than £10,000 for the hero on JustGiving and a petition has been set up, urging him to be awarded the George Cross.

The honour is given to civilians who display the ‘greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage’ in the face of extreme danger. Roy is a credit to our country the British resolve to protect our fellow citizens in the face of evil.