Ipswich-born former Cambridge United, Stevenage, Exeter, Torquay, Newport County and Canvey Island keeper Danny Potter will be among a group of fans cycling more than 100 miles from Cambridge United to Mansfield Town for the final League Two match of the season on Saturday to raise money for Simon Dobbin and his family.

Simon, who is from Mildenhall, was attacked outside The Railway pub while on his way home from Southend's Roots Hall on March 21st and has been left brain damaged.

His family are looking to raise £20,000 to help care for him and the bike ride will help raise some of that money.

Potter, 37, who was with the U’s from 2007 until 2010, and the rest of the cyclists, who include Cambridge Fans United (CFU) chairman Robert Osbourn, former vice-chair Gary Atyes, Neal Cannell, Barry Benton and fans’ director David Mathew Jones, will set off on the 107-mile trek from the Abbey Stadium on Friday.

"Throughout my career, Cambridge United was by far the most enjoyable years,” said Potter, who is now working with young keepers at his Ipswich-based coaching school DP Elite.

”We not only had a great team on the pitch but behind the scenes as well. It's a real family club with a special place in my heart and the togetherness was immense.

”I remember reading about Simon's plight in a newspaper and have followed the story in the news since.

“When I received the call from Gary Atyes asking me if I would be willing to take part in a charity bike ride, I was more than happy to get involved. I'm just pleased I can do my bit to support Simon and his family.

"Having had 18 years in professional sport I thought riding 107 miles over two days would be easy but I soon realised this was going to be tougher than I thought!

“But the training is going well and with the help of Revel Outdoors in Bury St Edmunds, I now have a specialised bike that has certainly made things a bit more comfortable.”

To donate, visit the Mansfield for Dobbo Just Giving page here.

Photo: Action Images

gloucester_tractor added 12:04 - May 3 Now that's where the rest of Burnleys relegation money should go
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ronnyd added 21:48 - May 3 Thats a great gesture from those guys. Have the scumbags who attacked Simon been caught yet. If so i hope that they have to contribute to his future care. Well done Danny and Co.
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Chicago_Blue added 22:03 - May 3 I saw the story about Simon coming home after being in hospital for so long, and what happened to him, on Look East I think a few weeks back. It really made me think and touched me. Talk about wrong place, wrong time. All their lives changed for ever. So sad, yet the dignity and bravery the family showed in the interview was incredible. I am going to pledge some money for this cause - good on you. I am a runner and am thinking about doing something similar, maybe in a forthcoming event.

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owenitfc added 20:31 - May 4 Great lad and a good keeper too. Was shocked when he left cambridge as he was the fans' favoutite.
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