Former West Brom player stabbed outside Bullring says 'grateful I am still here'

A former West Bromwich Albion Academy player has spoken of being grateful to be alive after he was stabbed outside the Bullring shopping centre. Ex-Baggies star Mackenzie Lamb confirmed he was one of the three men injured in the city centre knife attack on Sunday, June 16.

Mackenzie, who joined Peterborough United in 2022 after his rise at West Bromwich Albion, was one of three England fans left with 'potentially serious injuries' after the knife attack on Sunday, which took place just outside the Bullring's Five Guys burger restaurant. All three men were wearing England tops following England's win over Serbia, although West Midlands Police said there was "no suggestion" the incident was linked to the football.

A police investigation into the violent incident continues, but the young ex-Baggies footballer says he is now recovering after a "scary few days" and has urged people to take the dangers of knife crime more seriously.

READ MORE: Three England football fans stabbed outside Bullring Five Guys restaurant in city centre trouble

Want the latest headlines and breaking news emailed to your inbox? Sign up here, it’s free.

Mackenzie released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, to his followers on June 22. Urging everyone to stay safe, Mackenzie wrote: "Debated with myself whether to post anything or not as it's still so fresh, felt as though I needed to, to spread awareness of the dangers of knife crime.

"I'm fortunate that I had good friends by my side to stop the bleeding and get help so quick else who knows what could've been. It's been a scary few days and not sure its all sunk in yet. Just grateful that I am still here, which some people affected by knife crime cannot say which is the most devastating thing.

"Just hope things like this and other more serious incidents can make people start to understand that there is something clearly not right going on for people to think it's ok to step out their front door with knives."

The post got more than half a million views on X, with dozens of comments from well-wishers for a "speedy recovery." BirminghamLive contacted West Midlands Police for an investigation update on Sunday morning.

On the attack, BirminghamLive also heard from one victim's brother who said his sibling was "stabbed in the back" and his two friends were also slashed in the arm and face. You can read that full interview here.

West Midlands Police previously said: "We were called to reports of disorder outside Five Guys, Bullring, Birmingham, at around 10.45pm on June 16. A 20-year-old man was taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be serious.

"We have carried out CCTV enquiries and spoken to a number of witnesses. We have stepped up patrols in the city centre to offer reassurance to the public. Enquiries are ongoing."

A West Midlands Ambulance spokesperson confirmed: "We were called to reports of a stabbing near Bullring Five Guys at 10.52pm on Sunday night. One ambulance, two paramedic officers and a trauma doctor, with a critical care paramedic, attended the scene.

"On arrival we discovered three patients. One of whom, a man, was treated for potentially serious injuries and taken to hospital. The remaining two patients were assessed and discharged at the scene."

Anyone with information about this attack should contact police by calling 101, quoting crime reference 20/589213/24. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.