Spurs fan, 69, attacked by Sheffield supporters after FA Cup match

Spurs fan is beaten to a pulp by Sheffield United supporters after being taken to FA Cup match by his son as a 70th birthday surprise

• Roy Pankhurst, 69, was attacked by Sheffield fans after the FA Cup Spurs match
• Mr Pankhurst was taken by son Craig, 44, as a surprise for his 70th birthday

A Tottenham Hotspur fan was beaten up by Sheffield United supporters after Spurs’ 1-0 FA Cup loss on a surprise trip to celebrate his upcoming 70th birthday.

Roy Pankhurst, 69, travelled to Sheffield, South Yorkshire for the fifth round FA Cup match last night with his son Craig Pankhurst.

But the pair were attacked as they left the Sheffield United Bramall Lane ground at 9:45pm last night.

Mr Pankhurst was left with blood pouring from his nose and a nasty cut on his head.

He had to use his white and blue club scarf to mop up the blood as they waited for an ambulance – which took to hospital where he spent six hours before being treated.

Pensioner Tottenham Hotspur fan Roy Pankhurst (pictured), 69, was beaten up by Sheffield United fans after their 1-0 FA Cup loss on a surprise trip to celebrate his upcoming 70th birthday

Mr Pankhurst (bottom right) and his son Craig Pankhurst, 44, were attacked as they left the Sheffield United Bramall Lane ground at 9:45pm last night after the fifth round FA cup match

Mr Pankhurst was left with blood pouring from his nose and a nasty cut on his head and he had to use his white and blue club scarf (pictured) to mop up the blood

Officers from South Yorkshire Police are now investigating the attack.

Mr Pankhurst’s son, father-of-two Craig, 44, branded the thugs who attacked his father as ‘street rats’.

He 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 detailed their evening in a series of tweets after the attack, writing: ‘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.’

In another tweet he said: ‘Now in hospital. Waiting for scans.

He continued: ‘Dad’s left side is now swelling up quite badly. Still in hospital. Police have been back in touch. Hopefully they’ll catch the street rats.’

Craig Pankhurst – who survived a stroke when he was 39 – later added: ‘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.’

He had earlier posted a cheery photo of him and his father in the car on the 97 miles journey to the game from his home in Thurstaston, Merseyside

He said: ‘And we’re off. En route to Sheffield. COYS [come on you Spurs].’

Roy Pankhurst’s son Craig Pankhurst was left with a sore mark on his head after the attack

Roy Pankhurst cleaning his bloodied face after being attacked by Sheffield United fans outside their grounds

Before the match, Craig (left) took his father Roy (right) out for a meal to toast 70th birthday, which is in a couple of weeks

Before heading to Sheffield, Craig posted a cheery photo (left) of him and his father in the car on the 97 miles journey to the game from his home in Thurstaston, Merseyside. Right: The father and son at Sheffield United Bramall Lane ground before last night’s game

Before the match, Craig took his father out for a meal to toast 70th birthday, which is in a couple of weeks.

Craig said: ‘Celebrating Dad’s 70th (in a couple of weeks) Birthday. Dinner in Browns, before the football. Cheers.’

When they got to the Championship side’s ground, he joked: ‘Sniffer dog treatment as we went through the turnstiles. I blame my dad.’

Jordan Coombe said of the attack: ‘This is awful. I hope you’re both okay, wishing you a speedy recovery.’

Darren Altman added: ‘That’s deplorable. So sorry Craig. Give my best to your father.’

Matt Hayes said: ‘Oh my god Craig, I’m so sorry this happened.’

Roy Pankhurst received sympathy on Twitter after his son shared details of the attack last night

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: ‘Police were called by the ambulance service at around 10.17pm last night 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. Anyone with information which could help should call 101 quoting incident number 1062 on 1 March.’

Sheffield United won the game last night thanks to a 78th minute strike from Iliman Ndiaye.

Spurs were unable to muster an equaliser even after bringing Harry Kane off the bench.

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