A football club stalwart who was punched twice in the face said police were too busy to see him.

Ken Wright, 71, and a barmaid were shutting the bar at Witham Town Football Club’s Spa Road ground when he was assaulted.

Mr Wright, the club’s vice-president, said police were called three times but noone was available.

An officer took a statement from him four days later and was promised police would stay in touch, but he has not heard anything since.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were notified of an assault at Witham Town Football Club shortly before 1.15am on August 2.

“It was established that the suspect involved had left the premises and all officers were already committed to other incidents so arrangements were made to visit the victim on August 6.”

A 38-year-old Witham man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Mr Wright and bailed until October 4.