Footballers furious as changing rooms raided as they play

THREE changing rooms have been ransacked by thieves during a football match.

Clothes, car keys, mobile phones and wallets were among the items stolen during a raid at Holbrook Miners Welfare Football Club, in Holbrook.

Thieves struck during the first half of a game between Holbrook and Borrowash Victoria on Saturday, stealing from each team's changing rooms and the referee's changing area.

This latest raid follows several other thefts from changing rooms over the past few months, where players have had belongings and car keys stolen.

Kevin Bunting, manager of Holbrook, said the game had to be abandoned after the break-in was discovered.

He said: "They only had a very small window of opportunity to steal because there is always someone around the area. We're not even sure how they managed to get in. Seventeen track suits were taken from our dressing room plus whatever was taken from the other team.

"They have even taken our kit bag so it looks as though they have gone in, filled our kitbag with all the clothes and left with it all. There is no chance any of the lads could have carried on because they were all so angry."

The players left the changing rooms at about 2.55pm for the 3pm kick-off. The teams were playing on the pitch less than 150 yards from changing rooms, in Shaw Lane.

Both teams, who play in the East Midlands Counties League, returned to the changing rooms just after 3.45pm to find thieves had broken in through a window.

Holbrook goalkeeper Damian Clark had his car keys and house keys stolen.

Mr Clark, 26, of Chaddesden, said: "When we got back to the dressing room, I guessed straight away what had happened because I have heard it happen elsewhere.

"You don't really expect it in a quiet place like Holbrook. I am having to pay £400 to get the locks changed on the car and house."

The raid follows several others in the county.

Police are yet to recover a Porsche Carrera, a Jaguar X-Type and a Vauxhall Astra, which were taken when thieves ransacked a changing room, in Lockton Avenue, Heanor, during a match between Cotes Park FC and Chellaston FC on October 11.

Eight days later, a Mini Cooper with the personalised number plate K700 RAM was stolen as burglars raided changing rooms in Hilton.

Keys to the car were taken, along with credit cards, wallets and mobile phones during a match between TL Darby Reserves and Hilton AFC.

Police are investigating all three incidents and a spokeswoman warned footballers to be on the lookout.

"We would advise players to take valuables to the side of the pitch and leave them in a bag with a team member or trusted spectator," she said.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, should call police on 0345 123 3333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.