Two soccer fans have been jailed for a drunken attack on a father who tried to act as peacemaker when they confronted his sons after an England victory.

Donald Vaughan's skull was fractured when he was attacked by Troy Johnson and Paul Measor.

They were part of a group of drunken fans who were celebrating the win against Croatia during Euro 2004.

Johnson's punch broke the bones around Mr Vaughan's eye, resulting in him losing the sight in it for two days.

Measor then struck out, making the 45-year-old father fall backwards.

Bones at the back of his skull were fractured when his head hit the ground.

Mr Vaughan suffered a blood clot and spent two weeks recovering at Hurstwood Park neurological unit in Haywards Heath.

Hove Crown Court heard he was left afraid to go out after the attack on June 22 last year.

Mr Vaughan met his sons Paul, 22, and Stephen, 21, at The Sussex pub in Brighton after the match.

They had gone with friends to see the game and saw Wayne Rooney score two wonder goals as England beat Croatia 4-2.

Michael Sones, prosecuting, said there was a confrontation after remarks were made about girls in the Vaughans' group as they left the city centre pub.

Donald Vaughan stood in front of his sons and tried to reason with Johnson and other members of the group during the incident in Market Street.

Wayne Saunders was seen to kick Stephen Vaughan as he lay on the ground.

The court heard that Johnson and his group believed a glass or bottle had been thrown at them during the incident.

Johnson, 25, of New England Street, Brighton, was yesterday jailed for 24 months after admitting affray and causing grievous bodily harm to Donald Vaughan.

Measor, 23, of Meadow View, Brighton, was sent to prison for 12 months after pleading guilty to the same offences.

Saunders, 23, of Hartington Road, Brighton, was fined £500 after admitting common assault and using threatening behaviour.

Andrew Forsyth, defending Johnson, said: "He is deeply sorry and ashamed. He no longer drinks to excess."

Jeffrey Lamb, defending Measor, said: "He had been out celebrating the birth of his son the day before and violence was the last thing on his mind. He is filled with remorse and shame."

Nicholas Hamblin, defending Saunders, said: "He accepts to his great shame that he did kick Stephen Vaughan.

"He wants to apologise publicly to Donald Vaughan and to everyone involved."

Recorder Christopher Morris-Cool, sentencing them, said: "The combination of violence and drinking is at times malignant in society.

"People who are seeking an enjoyable night out in the centre of town should not have to fear violence from drink-fuelled louts."