A Manchester City fan was left in intensive care after being stabbed by a fellow Blue.
The supporter, who wishes to remain anonymous, was attacked as he remonstrated with two fans who were beating up a West Ham follower after City’s 2-1 victory over the Hammers on May 1.
Despite protesting that he was a fan of the same team the Good Samaritan was set upon and spent two days in hospital with a damaged lung.
The fan was walking to Piccadilly Station from Eastlands when he saw two men in City shirts attacking a West Ham supporter on Gurney Street.
He said: "The West Ham fan was with a little boy who was clearly upset. I think it might have been his son.
"I walked over and said ‘lads, that’s out of order’.
"But then one of them turned on me. He kept calling me a Cockney – I am from Nottingham and he wouldn’t believe I was a City fan. He was drunk and asked me what it had to do with me. I stepped in to stop them and one of them hit me from behind. Another then hit me with a screwdriver."
The thugs ran off towards Ashton New Road.
"I didn’t realise I had been stabbed," he said. "I got to the city centre and a police officer called me an ambulance. I was in intensive care for two days."
The fan says he was disappointed nobody else challenged his attackers. He said: "There was loads of people around who could see what was going on but nobody did anything. I’m gutted, I would have hoped somebody would have helped me out."
Police say they are investigating the attack, which happened between 6 and 6.30pm, and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. The thugs were white and in their mid 20s. Both were of average build and around 5ft 10in tall with short, shaved hair.
Detective Constable Nick Kershaw, said: "The area was extremely busy and I am keen to hear from anyone who saw the assault or incident beforehand."
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3914, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555
From the MEN. Someone must have seen something.