Colchester/Wivenhoe: Amateur footballer awaiting facial reconstruction after being kicked and beaten as he lay unconscious

Picture of Richie Robins prior to the attack - Pic: Richie Robins/PA Wire

Richie Robins, first team goalkeeper for non-league Wivenhoe Town FC and former Colchester United youth team player, is understood to have stepped in to protect a woman when he was allegedly set upon by half a dozen men.

The 21-year-old student was punched and knocked out during an altercation in Colchester’s Queen Street in the early hours of last Saturday but the attack continued as he lay on the floor, Essex Police said.

Officers have already arrested a 19-year-old man from Colchester in connection with the incident. He has been released on police bail.

Detective constable Seff Manesh has appealed for people who witnessed the attack outside a Subway store in Queen Street, Colchester, at 3.30am on December 21 to come forward.

He said: “This young man had been out with his friends after returning home from university for the Christmas holiday.

“We are aware of a disturbance involving a large number of young men and are examining CCTV to establish what happened and who was involved.

“This student has sustained some very nasty-looking injuries which will affect him for the foreseeable future.

“We’re looking to speak with those bystanders who saw what happened and what started the melee.”

A spokesman for Wivenhoe FC, who play in the Eastern Counties League Premier Division, said Mr Robins suffered “severe” injuries including fractures to his eye socket and cheek bones.

He added: “Naturally, everyone at Wivenhoe Town FC sends Richie their best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

After the incident, Mr Robins was taken to Colchester General Hospital by paramedics and is due to see a specialist surgeon this week.

Essex Police said there were about six attackers who were described as black and in their late teens and early 20s.

Witnesses should contact detectives at Colchester police station on 101.