Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a Cardiff man suffered potentially life threatening head injuries near to the St Mary’s football stadium on Saturday, February 28. He was taken to Southampton General Hospital where his condition is described as stable.
The 21-year-old man from Pontyclun, South Wales, had travelled by coach with others to watch the Championship match between Southampton and Cardiff.
The coach party stopped off at the Chapel Arms on arrival in Southampton and mingled with Saints fans in what is described as a jovial atmosphere, where opposing fans swapped badges and bought each other drinks. Prior to the 3pm kick-off the pub virtually emptied as everyone made their way to the stadium, although a small number of customers remained.
A short while later at about 3.30pm, a verbal altercation took place within the Chapel Arms between one of the Cardiff fans and another man. Detectives believe this altercation continued in Andersons Road where others may have become involved, including the injured man who was wearing a pink top.
The police are appealing for anyone who was in the pub at that time or beforehand to contact them. They are particularly interested to speak to a man and a woman who were in the pub with a young boy who was aged approximately 7-8 years old.
Officers would also like to speak to anyone who was in the general area of the Chapel Arms between 3.30 and 3.45pm who may have seen or heard anything that led to the man suffering his injuries, especially residents of the flats in Andersons Road.
Detective Inspector Dave Morgan who is leading the investigation said: “I would like to stress that we are not viewing this incident as football related violence, but as an isolated incident that occurred near to a football stadium. We are working very closely with our police colleagues in Cardiff who are providing assistance to establish exactly what happened that led to this man suffering his injuries.”
Can you help?
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Supervisor team at Shirley police atation on 0845 045 45 45 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000.
