THE middle-aged man who was stabbed before West Ham’s trouble-filled game with Millwall is “an innocent family man” who went to the wrong entrance of the ground in error, police have revealed.

The 43-year-old was attacked in Tudor Road, close to the Hammers' Upton Park stadium shortly before 8pm on Tuesday.

He and 10 family members, including his two teenage sons, are Millwall supporters who mistakenly headed for an entrance to a section for home fans.

As they tried to walk to the away end they were approached by a large group of West Ham hooligans who pursued them before attacking the man and his two sons.

The man was seperated from his family and was stabbed in the chest.

He managed to stagger through an alleyway before collapsing outside a bus garage in Priory Road. He remains in a stable condition in hospital.

The man’s sons did not require hospital treatment.

Police are now appealing for anybody who witnessed the attack to come forward.

Det Insp Lee Barnard, the investigating officer, 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.

"The victim was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack as he and his family tried to flee to safety. If not for the swift intervention of paramedics, the man would have lost his life.”

Trouble before, during and after the game marred Tuesday night's Carling Cup clash.

West Ham have issued a fresh statement vowing to ban those responsible for the trouble inside the ground, while police are examining CCTV footage and sifting through witness statements in an attempt to identify those who caused mayhem in the streets surrounding the stadium.

Anyone with information should call police on 7275 5851, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.