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An Oldham Athletic fan stabbed near Anfield has refused to co-operate with the detectives trying to hunt down his attackers.

Mark Gregory, 35, was knifed five times as trouble flared after the Reds’ 2-0 FA Cup win on Sunday.

He was stabbed four times in the buttock and once in his leg and last night remained in hospital ahead of a second operation following complications.

Detectives were today trawling CCTV footage of the dad-of-three’s movements, and those of his attackers, after the final whistle.

Officers would not be drawn on suggestions the violence was linked to organised football hooliganism.

But the ECHO understands that Mr Gregory, from Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, said he was unwilling to help police investigate the stabbing.

Clashes broke out on Lower Breck Road shortly after the match, near to the Flat Iron pub, at around 5.15pm.

Mr Gregory’s wife, Louise, said her husband had been walking towards a train station with Oldham supporter pals when he was attacked.

She told how her husband was stabbed from behind after walking out of a pub.

She added that he had an operation to repair damage caused by internal bleeding and had lost a lot of blood.

Mrs Gregory, who was at Mark’s bedside during the procedure, said she was waiting at home for her husband to return when she received the news.

She said: “I was at home when I heard what had happened. The phone rang and I presumed it was Mark saying he wanted a lift back from Manchester.

“When they said it was the hospital I feared the worst. I was in shock and still am.

“I went straight there to be with him and me and all the family are all wishing him a swift and full recovery.”

Police said Mr Gregory’s injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

The area near the Flat Iron was forensically examined and inquiries into the incident continue to be carried out.

Jamie Harrison, 37, a Latics fan from Oldham who travelled to the match, passed the scene just after the incident had happened.

He said: “I was in The Flat Iron pub and came out to see it all happening about 500 yards down the street.

“I saw him getting put into the back of an ambulance with a lot of wadding on his back.

“There was a helicopter overhead and two or three ambulances around with a lot of police in the area.

“I feel really lucky – if I had walked out the pub five minutes earlier I would have walked into the trouble and it looked really nasty.”

Merseyside Police launched an appeal for anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy O’Connor said: “This was a nasty assault which has left a man in hospital. The area was very busy with both football fans and passing motorists when the incident took place and I’m confident some people will have seen what happened.”

Witnesses can contact St Anne Street CID on 0151 777 4064, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

10.30pm Sunday story

A fan was stabbed following this afternoon's FA Cup clash between Liverpool FC and Oldham Athletic.

The 35-year-old man was attacked close to the ground just after the match, which the Reds won 2-0 at a sold-out Anfield, finished.

The victim - believed to be an Oldham supporter - flagged down a passing ambulance on Lower Breck Road, at around 5.15pm.

He was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital where he is receiving treatment for a stab wound.

A police spokesman said his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening and he was said to be in a stable condition.

The area is being forensically examined and inquiries into the incident are being carried out.

Jamie Harrison, 37, a Latics fan from Oldham who travelled to the match, passed the scene just after the incident had happened.

He said: "The atmosphere had been fine all through the match and just outside the ground.

"I was in The Flat Iron pub and came out to see it all happening about 500 yards down the street.

"I saw him getting put into the back of an ambulance with a lot of wadding on his back.

"There was a helicopter overhead and two or three ambulances around with a lot of police in the area.

"I feel really lucky - if I had walked out the pub five minutes earlier I would have walked into the trouble and it looked really nasty."

A spokeswoman from North West Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 5.25pm that a male in his thirties had been stabbed.

"We were called to Breck Road and the man was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital for treatment."

Merseyside police has now launched an appeal for anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy O'Connor said: "I want to reassure people that we are conducting a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

"This was a nasty assault which has left a man in hospital.

"The area was very busy with both football fans and passing motorists when the incident took place and I'm confident some people will have seen what happened.

"I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any other information, to get in touch with us, either through St Anne Street CID on 0151 777 4064, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."