Football club ‘does not condone’ events which saw one of its supporters seriously assaulted

A football club has appealed for witnesses after one of its supporters was seriously injured following a cup final on Friday.Police were called to Norwich Road in Dereham following reports of an assault after the Norfolk Junior Cup final clash between Watlington Sports and Social Club and Dersingham Rovers.The incident occurred at around 9.45pm when the victim was approached from behind by a man who punched him on the back of the head.The victim, aged in his 20s, was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with serious injuries, where he remains.A club statement from Watlington said it does “not condone the events that happened” after the match. It added: “Unfortunately, a man supporting the club was left with serious injuries after being punched from behind.“Watlington Football Club are reaching out to appeal for witnesses and encourage these witnesses to contact the police or the club with any information.“The club would like to thank the stewards and committee members of Dereham Football Club for their swift response assisting with emergency first aid at the immediate scene.”A police spokesperson told the Lynn News yesterday that enquiries into the incident are ongoing.Meanwhile, a Dersingham Rovers statement said: “We would like to place on record that we are positive that no individuals affiliated to Dersingham were involved in this incident. “The club will not make any further comments and will support where needed in the ongoing investigation.“We are proud of how our club and supporters conducted themselves at the event.” Watlington had emerged victorious from the cup final clash, with a Ben Baxter-Hunt enough to see off Dersingham.An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called just after 9.45pm on Friday May 10 with reports of an assault at Dereham Town Football Ground.“An ambulance was sent to the scene and transported an adult man to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”