The fan stabbed during the brawl between West Ham and Millwall supporters was an "innocent family man" who had made the mistake of going to the wrong stadium entrance, police said today.

The 43 year old was lucky to escape with his life after he was knifed in the chest during the fighting on Tuesday night, in front of his sons, aged 17 and 18.

The Millwall fan and his family, 10 people in total, went to the wrong entrance at West Ham's Upton Park ground before the Carling Cup tie so tried to backtrack. But they ran into a mob of West Ham fans.

The group were chased down Tudor Road and the father was punched and kicked before being stabbed in Priory Road.

His sons discovered the unnamed man slumped in the street. He remains stable in hospital.

Detective Inspector Lee Barnard, of Newham Violent Crime Unit, said: "This incident was not a pre-arranged act of violence between two sets of rival supporters; this was an innocent family man who was subjected to a senseless attack by people intent on causing violence.

"Although the family were not wearing any clothing that would identify them as Millwall supporters, their direction of travel may have indicated that they were.

Gallery: Violence mars West Ham v Millwall cup match

"The victim was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack. If not for the swift intervention of paramedics, the man would have lost his life.

"I urge anyone who witnessed this attack, or has information that can assist this investigation, to contact us."

A Scotland Yard spokesman added that the victim and his sons were separated from the rest of the family and then attacked by the mob.

"The victim was further separated from his sons and continued to be attacked, receiving a single stab wound to the chest," the spokesman added.

"The group fled in various directions. The man managed to make his way through the alleyway at the end of Tudor Road and collapsed by the Priory Road bus garage.

"He was found by his sons who alerted the emergency services."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Violent Crime Unit at Plaistow Police Station on 020 7275 5851 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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