A FOOTBALL fan was today still fighting for his life after being attacked near St Mary's Stadium.

The incident happened shortly before kick-off at 2.55pm on Sunday, when a large group of people started fighting in Clifford Street, and outside The Gladstone Club at the junction of Clifford Street and Golden Grove.

It is not yet known exactly how many people were involved but police believe the incident involved a group of Manchester United supporters and Southampton men.

A 45-year-old man from Telford was taken by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for serious head injuries and remains in a critical condition.

Det Insp Chris Fitchet of Hampshire police, who is leading the investigation, told the Daily Echo: "Our inquiries are centred on identifying all of the people involved in this violent disorder.

"We also want to find out exactly how the injured man sustained his injuries.

"Most importantly, we need to identify all those present at the time, even if they weren't involved in the altercation, and we urge anyone who was there to come forward.

"It is very likely that a number of those who were there may have returned to the Manchester area by now.

"We urgently need those people to get in touch, as they could provide vital witness information and help us find who is responsible for this very serious assault."

A spokesman for Hampshire police added that, so far, the response from the public has been good.

"We have also appealed in the Manchester area and the response there has been good also," she added.

Anyone with information should contact Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.