A Chelsea season-ticket holder is 'lucky to be alive' following a cowardly attack with a knuckle duster in the lead up to the Chelsea'sLondon derby with rivals Tottenham at Stamford.
Edward Gumm, a father-of-two from Bexley, south-east London, was hit from behind just 15 minutes before the start of the derby.
The 36-year-old instantly collapsed before being rushed toChelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Gumm's family claim that he was struck from behind with a knuckle-duster, causing a dislocated jaw and 10 stitches from where his head slammed against the floor.
The Metropolitan Police are currently investigating the issue, although they claim to be looking into reports that he was simply punched, not with the aid of a knuckle-duster.
The victim's wife,Georgia, told theMirror:"Edward was with his sister Caroline and she took a photo of the Christmas tree outside the ground at 5.10pm then two minutes later Edward was out cold on the floor.
"They sit in the Matthew Harding Stand Lower so he went to get his tickets out of his wallet and the next thing he was down on the ground and his sister was shouting, 'Help! Help my brother!'
The assault happened before the Chelsea v Spurs clash on Saturday #chelseafc https://t.co/aMbH0uCXVm
"He hit the floor hard and that has left him with bruises and he has swelling like an egg.
"Police have told us that they think he was targeted but he wasn't wearing any Chelsea merchandise and neither was his sister.
"From the injuries that he has got, it looks like he has been hit from behind with some sort of cosh.
"It looks like whoever has done this had a cosh in their left hand and a knuckle duster on their right hand and then they have brought them together at the same time.
"He saw Spurs fans being cordoned off by police but this is normal for a match with such a big rivalry.
"We are, all as a family, so pleased he's alive but we cannot believe how such a savage and unprovoked attack could have occurred inside the grounds of Chelsea Football Club.
"It's a family club and he took our eldest daughter Amelia to the Burnley game in August and I would not have put my children at risk if this would have happened before then."
Fortunately, Gumm was discharged from hospital after they found 'no bleeds to the brain', meaning that he can now rest at home.
A spokesperson from Chelsea added: "We are aware of reports and are looking into the matter."
Anyone who witnessed the incident should call Hammersmith and Fulham CiD via 101. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.