Foul play

10:28am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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YOUNG footballers were left heartbroken after thieves smashed their way into Minehead Youth Football Club twice this week.

The attacks at the club's ground off Irnham Road on Sunday and Monday night left the club £1,061 down after losing 15 tracksuits belonging to the junior team and sweets and drinks left over from club events.

Thieves also damaged trophies set to be handed out to players aged from six at a presentation evening tomorrow (Friday).

Minehead Youth Football Club secretary Dale Diplock said: "I am absolutely gutted to think that someone could break into the hut and steal equipment from kids.

"We have a small number of volunteers who put in a lot of time and effort into running the club and giving the kids something to do. The last thing you expect is for somebody to kick the door in and take a load of stuff."

The 15 tracksuits were black and blue with the club logo on the back and had been specially printed for the team.

Mr Diplock said: "We have 300 children registered with us at the moment - a lot of them haven't been told yet but they will be upset to know what has happened. I hope they are recovered but if not it will sadly have to get put down to experience and we will learn from it and start fundraising to try and get some more made up."

He added: "Some of the trophies that we hand out at a presentation night were damaged. Some had their arms broken off - it is all just so pointless."

Anyone with information should call PC Hill at Minehead Police Station on 0845-4567000.

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