THE sister of a football fan who was brutally attacked after a match in Southend says he has shown no signs of recovery.

Simon Dobbin, 41, of Mildenhall, Suffolk, was attacked by a group of men after a Blues v Cambridge United match at Roots Hall on Saturday, March 21.

The incident occurred in East Street, Southend, near the Railway Tavern, with police arresting two men on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

Mr Dobbin’s sister, Victoria Forsythe, 43, from Oxfordshire, a nurse, fears her brother is getting no better.

She said: “Initially we were told he would make a full recovery, but that seems less likely as time ticks on.

“He is still in a critical and unstable condition. His brain started to swell on Saturday, which is not good news.

“We have had no particular prognosis or diagnosis that looks positive.”

Mr Dobbin, who has three children, was treated at Southend Hospital, where he was given a police guard, but was transferred to first Bury St Edmunds, and then Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, on Sunday, to be closer to his family.

A You Caring donation page was set up by the niece of Alison Dobbin, Simon’s wife, that has now raised more than £10,000, with a charity football match held on Sunday raising a further £6,000.

Now his sister hopes the money raised is managed properly so it goes directly to Mr Dobbin, and those who have helped him and his family through their horrific ordeal.

She added: “People have been so generous and now I just want to know the funds raised are being used for the benefit of Simon.

“I have spoken to Headway, the brain injury association, and there is a way of protecting the money so it all goes to Simon.

“But if the worst should happen, I would want some money to go to the critical care unit at Southend Hospital and the other places that have taken such good care of him.”

The two men arrested following the incident have been bailed until May 27, pending further inquiries by police.

Family: We are not angry with Southend fans

VICTORIA Forsythe has thanked the people of Southend, Blues fans and the club itself for their support.

She released a statement via the Blues’ official website. It read: “As Simon’s sister, I would just like to say how completely devastated we are to be in the situation we have found ourselves in. What has happened to my brother is a complete shock, and we are all very saddened, as his condition has not yet improved.

“My brother was a football fanatic. He has played football all his life, and also has enjoyed watching the games, especially Liverpool, as this is where he grew up. Although moving to Suffolk, he also liked going to watch Cambridge United at their matches.

“This statement is to put forward that myself and his family are not in any way upset or angry at the Southend United supporters, in fact much the opposite, they have supported us through this tough time, and continue to do so. They have been charitable to my brother’s donation fund and this will help in due course when he wakes up.

“As a family, we are hopeful and are holding on to the miracle that Simon will wake up. Thank you again to all the support you have given us, we continue to pray for Simon.

“Kind regards, Victoria Forysthe.”