Vow to boost security at raid-hit Halesowen Town FC
Officials today vowed to step up security after they were left counting the costs of a burglary at the home of a non-league football club.
Thousands of pounds of damage were caused when thieves smashed their way in the ground of Halesowen Town FC.
Televisions were ripped from the walls inside the club's James Grove Lounge and a quantity of cash was also stolen in the raid.
Doors were kicked through at the clubshop and the press box at The Grove Stadium sometime overnight between 7pm on Saturday to 8.30am on Monday.
Police say two LG television worth around £800 were taken, some cash and around £400 worth of spirits from the bar.
Officers also say that a window was forced open causing around £400 of damage as well as damage to the doors.
The theft came on the eve of the club's first home game of the season last night against Belper Town in the Evo Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division
Club chairman Colin Brookes joined stadium maintenance volunteer Anthony Brettle to survey the damage and said they are determined to fight back.
He said the club will now look at ways to boost security including CCTV in a bid to deter thieves in the future.
"When things like this happen, once we have got everything sorted in the aftermath, the next thing is we must look at security," he said.
"We want to make sure this won't happen again so will be do all we can. We have had so many messages of support."
He said the club had been most concerned by the amount of spirits stolen from the bar which is a vital source of income for club coffers.
"The James Grove Lounge is one of our main ways of making money so it is disappointing that this has happened," he said.
"We had volunteers come down to help us get things sorted before the game."
The break in came after around £5,000 has been spent during the pre-season on improvements at the ground.
Police have appealed for anyone who noticed any suspicious activity at the time of the raid to call 101.
