THE family of a young footballer left partially paralysed after being caught up in a fight are trying to raise £100,000 for specialist spinal treatment.

Nicky Morgan, 25, was left with serious spinal injuries after he tried to break up the fight outside the Sugar Hut nightclub in Brentwood last month.

The 6ft 8ins Billericay Town goalkeeper is unable to move his legs, but is recovering well from an operation to ease swelling on his spine.

Nicky’s three brothers Ben, 36, Ryan, 30, and Reede, 19, are organising a benefit night to help secure as much cash as possible.

Ben, from Chelmsford, said: “Nicky is now facing a three-month wait to be transferred to a specialist spinal unit at either Stanmore, or Stoke Mandeville, in Buckinghamshire.

“We hope to raise the money so he can get into one of the specialist hospitals as soon as possible.

“At the moment, he is getting frustrated because he is a young fit guy and wants to make progress as quickly as possible.”

Ben said his parents, John and Jackie, were keeping a vigil at Nicky’s bedside in Queen’s Hospital, Romford.

He added: “Nick is still waiting for a modified wheelchair, so he can be upright and his blood pressure kept normal, to be brought in from Sweden because he is so tall.

“He is generally in good spirits and being helped along by all the family and friends supporting him. We have started a blog to keep everyone updated on his progress.”

The benefit is taking place on Friday, December, 2, at O’Grady’s Irish Bar, High Road, Ilford, where Nicky was a doorman.

There will be a host of celebrity guests at the event, including ex-England player Ian Walker, football pundit Tony Cascarino, who played for Chelsea and the Republic of Ireland, and former international Republic of Ireland footballer Niall Quinn.

An auction of donated memorabilia from a host of world-class footballers, including Gordon Banks, John Barnes, John Terry, Kevin Keegan and many more, is also taking place at the benefit.

To buy tickets, which cost £6, or £10 for two, go to www. facebook.com/nickmorganfund l Essex Police have so far failed to arrest anyone over the incident.