THE wife of a man who died following an attack after a football match in Southend said her family “struggles every day” as the murder investigation into his death continues.

Simon Dobbin was left with permanent brain damage from the attack in Station Road after a Southend United vs Cambridge United match on March 21, 2015.

In total, 13 people were convicted and 12 were jailed in connection with the incident.

However, after Mr Dobbin died aged 48 on October 21, 2020, medical tests showed there was a direct link between his death and the injuries he had sustained.

A murder probe was launched by Essex Police. Four men are still under investigation by Essex Police 18 months after being arrested in June 2022.

Nicole Dobbin, Simon’s wife, said: “The way I could look at it is I could cry all the time but it’s not going to change anything.

“It’s not going to bring him back and every day is a struggle because we miss him so much.

“I have no hard feelings against either club – what happened to Simon wasn’t their responsibility, it was those who attacked him.”

Nicole revealed Essex Police have remained in regular contact with her as the investigation continues.

She said: “The police have been communicating with us a lot, obviously they have a lot to do because they have to go over what happened in 2015 again.

“There are a lot of reports and court documents to go through but as far as we know things are happening behind closed doors but we are kept up to date.

“As always if there are any more witnesses or if anyone else has more information please get in touch with Essex Police.”

Initially, nine men were found guilty of violent disorder, three of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and one of assisting an offender.

The four men released in 2022 remain under investigation as Essex Police continue the murder probe.

Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: “On that day Simon’s injuries and what took place not only affected him but it affected his entire family and they had to provide 24-hour care for him up until his sad death in 2020.

“I’ve kept in contact with Nicole and his daughter Emily throughout that period of time. I want to give my personal assurance that we will continue to examine and identify all the evidence in relation to Simon’s death.”