Schoolboy football fan, 13, is battered by a fully grown man

A 13-year-old boy was left with a fractured eye socket, bruised ribs and a concussion after being beaten in an ‘unprovoked and ‘cowardly attack’ following a football match.

Will Forrest had been waiting for his father to pick him after watching Havant and Waterlooville V Wealdstone FC at the Hampshire club’s home ground in Westleigh Park on Sunday when a fight broke out. 

The schoolboy, who had gone to see the match with a friend, was punched and kicked as he lay motionless on the ground by his unknown assailant before being rushed to hospital.

Following the attack, his father Joe Forrest shared a photo of his son lying immobilised on a hospital trolley and revealed he may need surgery.

Will Forrest (pictured), 13, was punched and kicked to the ground after watching Havant and Waterlooville V Wealdstone FC at the Hampshire club’s home ground in Westleigh Park

The schoolboy's  father later shared a photo of his son lying immobilised on a hospital trolley in an effort to help catch the unknown attacker

The schoolboy’s  father later shared a photo of his son lying immobilised on a hospital trolley in an effort to help catch the unknown attacker

Mr Forrest hopes that by sharing the image, witnesses to the assault may come forward and help catch his son’s attacker who he believes may have mistaken the boy for another adult as a fight kicked off following the match.  

Mr Forrest said: ‘Will was attacked from behind, by a bloke in his 30’s, he was punched in the head a few times and lost consciousness, fell to the floor and hit his head, then he was kicked numerous times.

‘It was completely unprovoked. It was a completely cowardly act to assault a 13-year-old boy.’

Mr Forrest arrived at the ground to find his son lying on the ground being treated by medics.

He continued: ‘I arrived at the football club and was directed over towards Will who was lying on the floor being tended to by medics

‘There was quite a lot of disturbance and it was not a nice scene to see.’

Will was at first treated in an ambulance – where Mr Forrest took the picture – and then taken for treatment at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, Hampshire. 

Mr Forrest (right with son Will) said that his son was attacked from behind by a man believed to be in his  30s

Mr Forrest (right with son Will) said that his son was attacked from behind by a man believed to be in his  30s

Mr Forrest said Will’s attacker was bald and that he believed bystanders had filmed the incident on their mobile phones.

He added: ‘I hope it doesn’t affect [Will] mentally because I don’t want him to be at a game with his friends and having to look over his shoulder, thinking he’ll be set upon again.’ 

Taking to Facebook in an effort to help catch his son’s attacker Mr Forrest wrote: ‘After the game a fight kicked off while the boys were waiting for me to pick them up, Will was attacked from behind, by a bloke in his 30’s, he was punched in the head a few times and lost consciousness, fell to the floor and hit his head, then he was kicked numerous times!!   

Father Joe Forrest took to social media to urge anyone who had witnessed the attack to come forward

Father Joe Forrest took to social media to urge anyone who had witnessed the attack to come forward

‘He has suffered a fractured eye socket, concussion and bruised ribs, we have to go back to QA tomorrow for another X-ray after the swelling has reduced, and he may have to have surgery with a metal plate fitted. 

‘He’s back home now and is feeling a bit groggy and aching, but he is ok. The reason I’m putting this on FB is to hopefully use the power of social media to find out who the person was and to urge anyone who witnessed this attack to come forward if they have any information. Please share far and wide.’

Police have appealed for anyone who filmed the attack to get in touch.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: ‘A 13-year-old boy was assaulted and suffered serious injuries in a car park behind the away section.

‘We’re asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or captured anything on camera or on their mobile phone, to get in touch.’

Havant and Waterlooville football club, the team Will supports, also appealed for help.

In a statement they wrote: ‘A child was hurt in an incident following the match, where he required ambulance treatment, and we would like witnesses who would have seen this to come forward and make themselves known.

‘Those who would have seen this incident and would like to come forward please contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44200021883 – we would like to ensure that all matters will be dealt with in the strictest of confidences.’

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