England international Jonathan Woodgate attempted to punch and kick an Asian student in a city centre attack, a court heard today.
Mr Andrew Clarke told a jury at Hull Crown Court that he saw the Leeds United player aim a kick at the student, miss and fall over.
But under cross-examination by Woodgate's barrister Mr Clarke admitted he did not originally tell the police the events he described in court today.
Mr Clarke today told the court he saw a group of Asian youths being chased by a group of four or five white men along Boar Lane, in Leeds city centre.
He said: "An Asian youth turned round and a white lad tried to kick him and missed and fell over. It was Jonathan Woodgate. I've seen him play football for Leeds."
He said the Asian youth who Woodgate had missed with a kick was then attacked by some of the white men.
The court heard that Woodgate had by that time jumped to his feet and joined in the attack on the youngster.
"Punches were thrown at him (the Asian)," said Mr Clarke. "He then ran down the side of the vehicle and was struck again, but broke free again."
The jury has been told that Sarfraz Najeib was attacked in Mill Hill by a group of men allegedly including Woodgate and two other Leeds United players.
Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, England Under-21 international Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, Tony Hackworth, 20, of Leeds, and Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21, of Midlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They also deny affray.
Woodgate, Caveney and Clifford, with Leeds United defender Michael Duberry, 24, of Leeds, also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the cause of justice after the attack in January last year.
PA