THE VICTIM of an horrific racially motivated attack in Southampton city centre has told how he is scared to walk the streets at night.

The 22-year-old Asian man said he now avoids crowds and waits until roads are clear before making his way home after a night out at the pub.

He was speaking after police released closed circuit TV footage showing how he was savagely beaten and kicked in the head several times before being left unconscious.

His attackers were filmed kicking, spitting and throwing a lit cigarette as he lay on the ground.

Today the victim, a security guard at Southampton Docks, remembers how he felt shocked and scared after the group of attackers confronted him following England's defeat against Portugal in the World Cup.

He had been watching the match at Jumpin Jaks and was making his way home across West Quay Retail Park when he was attacked.

"I was on my way home with my brother-in-law and was in the car park when I heard a bloke shouting from behind. He was shouting racial abuse and coming closer towards me.

"Me and my brother-in-law kept saying 'We are English fans'. I remember lots of men coming towards me and me repeating 'I am an English fan' "They were pushing me. I dropped my mobile phone and at the same time they were kicking me.

"I recognised one of them from my last job as a security officer and said 'you know me.' He kicked me and punched me when I was down."

After lying unconscious for three minutes the next moment the victim remembers is waking up in the ambulance.

Paramedics treated him for bruising to the back of the head.

The man, who came to England three years ago from India to marry, said he had never encountered such racial abuse in his three years spent working in Southampton.

"I bite my nails to support the England football team. I felt the tension when Rooney was sent off. The people that did this are low life trouble-makers.

"They are a worrying minority. I felt shocked and scared and I am scared to go out after watching a football game. I avoid crowds and will wait in the pub until the roads are clear."

He urged anyone who recognises any of the men from the July 1 attack to contact police.

"They are not good for society," he said.

Call DC Pearson at Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.