A man has pleaded guilty to a knife attack on West Ham United player Calum Davenport.
Worrell Whitehurst, the boyfriend of Davenport's sister, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the former England Under-21 international on August 22.
He also pleaded guilty at Luton Crown Court to unlawfully wounding Davenport's mother, 49-year-old Kim Stupple, in the incident in Bedford.
Whitehurst, 25, of Finsley Walk, Derby, faces a substantial prison sentence, Judge John Bevan QC told the court.
Dressed in a brown shirt and Burberry-style tie, Whitehurst exchanged smiles and waves with his girlfriend, Cara Davenport, 28, who was sitting in the public gallery.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
Davenport was left with a 15-inch scar on his leg after the attack.
He has recently been able to return to light training and swimming after surgery.
