POLICE are appealing for information after thieves broke into Burnham United AFC and stole a range of valuable items, leaving the club ‘gutted’.

The club reported the raid, which is believed to have taken place at around 5.30am on Tuesday morning, ‘with a great deal of sadness’.

A club spokesman said: “The culprits caused significant damage to the shutter on the back door to get into the club, where they stole a Philips 54-inch TV, a Sharp 56-inch TV, smashed both the jukebox and fruit machine, taking money from inside, emptied the float from the till as well as the penny jar.

“It is gutting that anyone could do this to the club and is a kick in the teeth to all the volunteers who give up their time to run it.”

Fans and club officials reacted to the news on social media.

Oliver Taylor, of the club, said on Facebook: “Nothing can break the spirit and commitment of the people at BUFC.

“What doesn’t kill us will only make us stronger.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact police on 101, quoting crime reference number 5217288797.