A Cambridge United supporter suffered life-threatening injuries during a fight in Southend on Saturday.

Forty-one-year-old Simon Dobbin, who is from Mildenhall in Suffolk, made the trip to Essex to watch the U's in action at Roots Hall.

Reports have claimed that he was jumped on by a group of up to 15 football supporters outside the Railway pub after the match and a brawl ensued, leaving Mr Dobbin with a serious head injury.

He has since been taken to the Royal London Hospital, where he is on a life support machine.

His father-in-law, Jim Faley, told the Bury Free Press: "They said if Simon doesn't come around soon, he may never wake up.

"We are all hoping, but in the back of our minds we are not 100% sure. Even if he comes out in a wheelchair, at least he will still be with us.

"They just used him like a football. According to some people, if it wasn't for his friend laying on top of him they would have killed him."

Police were forced to use CS gas to break up the brawl and two men - a 33-year-old from Southend and 47-year-old from Cambridge - were arrested at the scene.

Later that night, a 23-year-old man from Westcliff was also arrested by officers on suspicion of GBH.

Friends of Mr Dobbin have organised a charity match in his honour, details of which can be found here.