A FOOTBALL coach executed in front of his two friends in a park, may have been targeted because of his secret life as a drug debt enforcer, an inquest has heard.

Ryan Musgrove, aged 36, died after he was shot by a masked assassin in a park in West Wickham in July 2009.

The gunman opened fire on the father-of-two after leaping from the bushes with a handgun.

As Mr Musgrove collapsed to the floor, the gunman returned to the hedge row and collected a black mountain bike, before fleeing in the direction of New Addington.

Police said Mr Musgrove, who was coach of Coney Hall Football Club, was specifically targeted in the attack and that his killer was aware of his movements and knew where he would be most vulnerable.

DCI John McFarlane told Croydon Coroners Court it soon became clear from their investigation Mr Musgrove had a compartmentalised life and was involved in criminality.

He said: "On the face of it he was a hard working man, involved in a football team and working as an electrician, but he was also involved in the drugs scene - cultivating cannabis, cannabis farms and at the higher level with drug dealers enforcing debts for them."

The inquest heard Mr Musgrove, of Towpath Way, South Norwood, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have arrested and bailed two people in connection with the murder, although one has been ruled out as a suspect.

Recording a verdict of unlawful killing, Coroner Dr Roy Palmer said: "It is clear Mr Musgrove was unlawfully killed.

"As you heard the officer say, investigations are ongoing and I very much hope they catch who was responsible and that he or she are brought to justice."