CLUB officials were today reassessing security after a group of footballers returned to their changing room to discover a thief had raided their belongings.

CLUB officials were today reassessing security after a group of footballers returned to their changing room to discover a thief had raided their belongings.

Wallets, credit cards, mobile phones and cash, including the club funds tin, were taken, and one player lost all his clothes as the thief apparently took the man's bag to carry away his haul.

Shocked players have expressed concern after discovering the burglary at the changing rooms at the Trimley Sports and Social Club was not the first in the past year.

The theft happened as the Felixstowe Harpers first and reserve teams played each other at the club in High Road, Trimley St Martin.

“We left everything in the changing rooms and then locked the door and went out to play the match,” said reserve team manager Graeme Connor.

“We thought everything was safe - we use the club a lot and you don't expect anything to happen.

“When we came back in and found stuff missing it was such a shock.

“It was a dreadful thing to happen and people were very angry.

“It's such a lot of hassle to replace some of these items - my business telephone, for example, has a lot of information on it I need all the time. It's a nightmare.”

Mr Connor said it was lucky cars were not taken as players had left their car key fobs in the changing room.

“As far as we could see there had been no physical break-in - the door was still locked,” he added.

Michelle Scott, chairman of the sports and social club, said security had been improved earlier this year after problems and the situation would now have to be looked at again.

“We have had new doors and locks fitted, proper security locked double-glazed ones, and there is only one set of keys. I am not sure what else we can do but we will have to look at what happened,” she said.

A police spokeswoman said the burglary happened between 10.30am and 12.15pm on Sunday and six players had items stolen. Investigations are continuing.

Anyone who saw anyone acting suspicious around the club or changing rooms should call Pc Scott Last on 01473 613500.

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