Roy Pankhurst, 69, was attacked by Sheffield United fans (Picture: Jam Press/Craig Pankhurst)
A Tottenham Hotspur fan who was treated to match tickets for his 70th birthday was beaten up by Sheffield United supporters.
Roy Pankhurst travelled to Sheffield, in South Yorkshire, for the FA cup match on Wednesday with his son Craig Pankhurst.
But as they left the Sheffield United Bramall Lane ground they were attacked by ‘street rats’.
The pensioner was left with a bloody nose and a nasty cut to the face – and spent six hours being treated at hospital.
Craig, 44, said: ‘What a terrible end to his 70th birthday surprise. We thought the Spurs result was the worst thing this evening. Clearly not.
‘Thank you for such a lovely welcome Sheffield United.’
He posted the photos on Twitter, where he detailed what happened during the attack.
He spent six hours in hospital with his son Craig (Picture: Jam Press/Craig Pankhurst)
Police at the scene of the attack on Wednesday (Picture: Jam Press/Craig Pankhurst)
He wrote: ‘This is me and my dad on the way out of the match.
‘Now in an ambulance on the way to hospital. He’s a 70-year-old man.
‘This is what some of your “fans” thought was appropriate.’
Roy needed scans as his face was swelling up so badly.
The pair even had to use their football scarfs to mop up blood as they waited for an ambulance.
Craig continued: ‘Back to our room in the Premier Inn after six hours in hospital.
‘What a truly awful night. I wonder if we will hear anything from Sheffield United.
‘I’m sure they’d be ashamed of their “fans” who did this.’
Roy had to use his white and blue club scarf to mop up the blood as they waited for an ambulance (Picture: Jam Press/Craig Pankhurst)
Officers from South Yorkshire Police are now investigating the attack.
Police said: ‘Police were called by the ambulance service at around 10.17pm on March 1 following reports of an assault on Eyre Street, Sheffield.
‘It is reported the victim, a man in his 70s, and his son were assaulted by a group of men.
‘The man suffered facial injuries and received treatment at hospital. Enquiries are ongoing.’
The match ended in a 1-0 win to Sheffield United.
Craig took his dad out for a meal to toast his 70th birthday before the game, which is in a couple of weeks.
He wrote: ‘Celebrating Dad’s 70th (in a couple of weeks) Birthday. Dinner in Browns, before the football. Cheers.’
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‘We thought the Spurs result was the worst thing this evening. Clearly not.’