How a post-match pint led to the death of a football fan

Football fan Simon Dobbin had watched his side, had enjoyed a post-match pint with his friends and was planning to head home. The attack that happened next left him severely brain damaged and ultimately led to his death. Now, the BBC can reveal prosecutors are considering charging at least one man with murdering him. On the 10-year anniversary of the assault, why is this tragic story still not over?

It had not been a classic on the pitch that day, on 21 March 2015.

Mr Dobbin was among the Cambridge United faithful who made the relatively short trip to Southend United, who were chasing promotion from League Two.

But it would be a year before the dad-of-one was stable enough to return to his home in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

He was among a group of Cambridge supporters set upon by hooligans in a frenzied 90-second attack.

The injuries Mr Dobbin sustained were catastrophic.

He was put into a medically-induced coma at the Royal London Hospital and left with permanent brain damage, unable to walk or talk.

Mr Dobbin died in his sleep in October 2020, with medical tests later showing there was a direct link between his death and the injuries he had sustained.

Thirteen men had already been sentenced for their roles in the attack prior to Mr Dobbin's death, but his death caused police to launch a murder investigation.

Several arrests were made, and four men – aged in their 30s and 40s – have remained under investigation since.

The BBC understands Essex Police handed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service at the end of 2024, for prosecutors to consider charging at least one of the men with murder.

A force spokesman said: "We remain committed to securing justice for Simon and his family."

Mr Dobbin had been with a group of Cambridge fans who stayed for a post-match drink in the Blue Boar pub, having watched their side draw 0-0 with Southend at Roots Hall.

They were walking to Prittlewell station when a group of hooligans set upon them.

The attackers had been scouting out potential targets near The Railway pub, which is less than a mile from the stadium, a trial at Basildon Crown Court in 2017 heard.

What happened next was described by prosecutor Andrew Jackson as "a carefully planned ambush".

Bottles and glasses were thrown and punches delivered. Caught in the middle, Mr Dobbin was hit and stamped on repeatedly.

Police used CS spray to break up the assault at 19:20 BST and found Mr Dobbin on the ground with serious head injuries.

He was immediately taken to the Royal London Hospital, such was the severity of his condition.

Mr Jackson told the trial: "None of these defendants had any interest that day in enjoying watching a football match.

"Their only interest lay in causing terrible and frightening violence."

After the attack, Mr Dobbin's wife, Nicole, started a campaign to introduce "Simon's law".

The proposed legislation would force lifelong payments to the NHS by people convicted of violent disorder, as well as introducing sentencing powers in such cases.

Mrs Dobbin started a petition and planned to take it to Parliament with 300,000 signatures. As of Friday, it had more than 291,000.

Speaking in court, she said her husband was given a life sentence through the actions of those who attacked him.

Mrs Dobbin said she "hates what these violent thugs have done to us".

Following Mr Dobbin's situation getting widespread publicity, he was visited by BBC One show DIY SOS.

More than 100 volunteers helped to kit out his house so it best suited his needs, and the episode was aired in January 2019.

The changes included a downstairs extension, a physio space and a wet room.

More recently, Cambridge United supporters have been encouraged to sing "there's only one Simon Dobbin" in the 10th minute of this Sunday's match.

The club said it wanted to honour him 10 years after the "brutal attack".

Det Ch Insp Martin Pasmore, who led the investigation into the assault, said those who attacked Mr Dobbin were like a "pack of animals".

He rubbished accusations that Mr Dobbin had been ejected from the stadium that day, branding them "absolute nonsense".

"Let me be clear, Simon Dobbin is a thoroughly decent man," he added.

At court in July 2017, eight men were found guilty of violent disorder in relation to the fracas, while another – Rhys Pullen – admitted the charge.

They were sentenced to the following:

• Five years for Ryan Carter, 21, of York Road, Southend
• Four years for Jamie Chambers, 24, of Coleman Street, Southend
• Three-and-a-half years for Lewis Courtnell, 34, of Stadium Road, Southend
• Three-and-a-half years for Scott Nicholls, 40, of Little Spenders, Basildon
• Three-and-a-half years for Matthew Petchey, 26, of Lascelles Gardens, Rochford
• Sixteen months for Rhys Pullen, 21, of Wickford
• Five years for Thomas Randall, 22, of Seaforth Avenue, Southend
• Five years for Alexander Woods, 25, of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff
• Three years for James Woods, 25, of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff

Three men were jailed for conspiracy to commit violent disorder:

• Three years for Greg Allen, 29, of Western Avenue, Westcliff
• Three years for Phil McGill, 32, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff
• Two-and-half-years for Michael Shawyer, 31, of Belgrave Road, Leigh-on-Sea

One man was found guilty of assisting an offender:

• 18-month suspended sentence for Ian Young, 41, from Westcliff. He was also convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon.

All the men were given 10-year football banning orders.

*All ages were accurate as of August 2017

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