AN amateur footballer is fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed during a night out celebrating his birthday.

Ismail Mohammed of Cippenham, was one of two men knifed at Salt Hill Park in Slough in the early hours of Monday morning just hours after he turned 24.

Former Westgate School pupil Mr Mohammed is still in hospital in a critical condition after receiving life-threatening injuries in the attack by three men.

A group of men, including Mr Mohammed and the other victim, were sitting on the skate ramps in Salt Hill Park when they were approached by the trio.

A row broke out and the pair were stabbed before their attackers ran off.

The second victim, also 24, was discovered by police at the exit to Woodland Avenue. He was also taken to hospital, but his injuries are not life-threatening and he has since been discharged.

The manager and founder of Thames Valley Sunday Premier League side Real Milan, Roger Evans, called his right back Mr Mohammed “the humblest man you’ll ever meet”. He said Mr Mohammed, known as ‘Izzy’, is “an absolute diamond”, adding “there is nothing bad about him, nothing.”

Mr Mohammed, who works for a contract company at Pinewood Studios, was described as a capable footballer who had been on trial at Watford, aged 17. He was also part of the Slough under-18 championship-winning team and made one first team appearance for Slough Town.

Mr Evans added: “I have no idea why it happened. He’s not an aggressive man, he’s very calm. He’s never even been booked. He’s a kind, loving, warm human being.”

“I knew him well. He’d pop in to say hello if he was walking past, and if he wasn’t playing, he’d always come to support the team. It’s always the good ones, isn’t it?”

He added: “We’re like a family here. “We’re all sending our best wishes and praying for him.”

Salt Hill Park’s playground, skate park, and nearby ball game court have been closed off while a police forensics team scours the area.

Detective Sergeant Lucy Deane, from Slough CID, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who saw what happened or who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area in the early hours.

“The area where the assaults happened is visible from outside the park and I would like to speak to anyone who saw any altercations taking place or anything unusual in the area of the park at around the time.

“Visible patrols are taking place in the area and a scene-watch has been on in the park while officers investigate the circumstances which has since been lifted.”

A local resident, who did not wish to be named, said that Salt Hill Park was ‘dangerous’ and urged the police to begin regular patrols in the area.

‘We’ve lived here for so many years, and so many bad things happen there. Many things do not get reported to the police’ said the mother of two.

“One girl, she was held at knifepoint while her jewellery was stolen, but she did not report it – no evidence.

“There should be more police there – more patrols. It is such a big area. At least one or two officers. I’m scared to let my children go there. Many people are.”

No one had been arrested in connection with the attack at the time of going to press, although Thames Valley Police insisted that they were pursuing “multiple lines of inquiry”.

A statement said: “We are continuing to appeal for witnesses and would ask anyone with information to call 101 quoting reference 113 10/7 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”