Men armed with giant wooden poles strike and kick a defenceless footy fan on the ground as violence erupts at Melbourne soccer match

Police are investigating a violent brawl that took place after a football match between rival clubs in Melbourne which resulted in a man being struck with large sticks while on the ground.

The altercation erupted in the carpark of Northcote FC after the match between the Preston Lions Football Club and Northcote Football Club on Friday night.

A video recorded at the time shows a group of men arguing before the violence erupts.

Moments later a man can be seen lying defenceless on the ground as others hit him with what appear to be large sticks.

'Oi boys, stop with the sticks,' the man can be heard saying.

'Enough with the sticks!' yells a woman. 

Another man can then be seen kicking the man on the ground in the head as a woman screams off camera. 

The beating goes on for several more seconds before the video abruptly stops.

Seven News reported that a witness said the victim had been antagonising rival supporters before the confrontation.

Victoria Police confirmed they were investigating the violent incident in a statement to News Corp.

'Emergency services were called to Clarendon St about 10.30pm after reports of a group of males fighting,' a spokesman said.

'On arrival they located a man in his 20s with an injury to his head.

'He was taken to hospital for treatment.'

Football Victoria (FV) said that they were investigating the incident, too.

'FV condemns all forms of anti-social behaviour and violence ... Both this behaviour, and the individuals involved in it, have no place in our game,' a spokesperson said.

'FV has contacted both clubs, who join FV in condemning the behaviour and will fully cooperate with the investigation.'