WIVENHOE Town's goalkeeper was kicked unconscious during a brutal attack in Colchester town centre.

Richie Robins, 21, intervened to try and break up a fight when a gang kicked him repeatedly until he lost consciousness.

They then continued kicking him causing several facial fractures.

A statement from Wivenhoe Town Football Club reads: "On the morning of Saturday 21st December at about 3.30am our first team goalkeeper Richie Robins was attacked and knocked unconscious in Queen Street, Colchester.

"Richie suffered severe facial injuries, which will require surgery, after being repeatedly kicked in the head by a group of men.

"Essex Police are now investigating the attack and looking for the perpetrators.

"Naturally, everyone at Wivenhoe Town FC sends Richie their best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope that the people responsible for attacking him are quickly brought to justice."

Investigating officer Det Con Seff Manesh said: “We are aware of a disturbance involving a large number of young men and are examining CCTV to establish what happened and who was involved.

“This student has sustained some very nasty-looking injuries which will affect him for the foreseeable future.

“We’re looking to speak with those bystanders who saw what happened and what started the melee.”

Police say the group of assailants was made up of about six people, all black and in their late teens or early 20s.

Anyone with information should contact detectives in Colchester on 101.