A YOUNG autistic football fan was subjected to a savage attack by a "hooligan" Bury FC fan as he tried to play peacemaker.

The 20-year-old, from Carlisle, had travelled with his dad and other Carlisle United fans to watch his team play the Shakers at the JD Stadium last Saturday (January 24).

His hand was slashed with a knife as he tried to shake hands with a Bury FC fan who was believed to have attacked another Carlisle fan with a beer bottle.

When the young man, who also suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, collapsed due to the pain, his attacker kicked him repeatedly as he lay defenceless on the floor.

Police said the 20-year-old, who because of his condition did not realise the possible danger to himself, feared he would be beaten to death in the savage attack.

Detective Constable Phil Slater, of Bury CID, said: "For all the wrong reasons, this young man will never forget his trip to Bury.

“What should have been an enjoyable afternoon ended in him being attacked with a knife by a hooligan.

"I will not use the phrase 'football fan', as the man responsible for this heinous attack is not a football fan, just a thug, and he gives genuine football fans a bad name.

“We have a young man who travelled from another city to Bury and ended up being brutally assaulted.

“Please search your conscience and come forward with any information you have.”

The victim was one of a group of supporters who went to the Staff of Life pub in Manchester Road for a drink on Saturday after their coach arrived around midday.

A short time later, other Carlisle fans who had left to get a takeaway returned to the pub.

One had a cut under his eye and said he had been confronted by some Bury FC fans, and attacked with a beer bottle.

The young man offered to go and meet with the Bury fans to calm the situation. Police said his natural instinct is to “abhor violence and seek a peaceful solution”.

The victim left the pub with several other Carlisle fans, heading to the Stanley Conservative Club in Back Brierley Street.

As he made his way to the bowling and garden area at the back of the club, he saw the offender and, raising his hands in a defensive manner, said, ‘I don’t want any trouble’.

As the victim put his hands out to shake hands, the offender rushed forward and slashed him across his hand with a knife before kicking him repeatedly when he collapsed.

Eventually the young man managed to get back to his feet, and ran off.

DC Slater added: "This young man was genuinely frightened when he saw another fan had been attacked with a bottle and was attempting to play peacemaker.

“Because of his Asperger's Syndrome and autism he naturally seeks to resolve any situation without fully realising any danger to himself but no-one could have anticipated the violence he would be subjected to.

"Such was the ferocity of this beating that he curled himself up into a ball while on the ground, and thought he would be beaten to death.

"Luckily he was able to escape and when officers arrived seconds later a man was arrested.

“This is just the start of our inquiries and I would urge anyone who has information to come forward. In particular, I would urge genuine Bury FC fans who witnessed this assault to do the right thing.”

A spokesman for Bury FC said: "Our thoughts are with the victim and we hope he makes a full recovery.

"The club will assist with any police investigation if asked to do so. 

"While we notice a police investigation is running, we will not be commenting on any action taken on those investigations."

Police arrested a 56-year-old man from the Bury area on suspicion of section 18 assault. He has been bailed until February 17 pending further inquiries.

Officers are now appealing for anyone else who has information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.