Thieves nab minibus during non-league club robbery

A non-league football club has been left "extremely disappointed" after thieves broke in and stole a number of items from its ground, including the club's minibus.

Oxford City FC said a number of offenders had broken into its clubhouse, at its Marsh Lane ground in the city, in the early hours of Monday morning.

Among the items taken was the club's minibus, which it uses to travel to away games, and was seen on CCTV being driven out of the club at about 03:34 BST.

The club's team's use the vehicle to travel to away fixtures, with the men's first team currently playing in the National League North, which includes away trips as far as South Shields - a 510 mile (820km) round-trip.

Andy Gate, from the club, said it had been "horrible to come in and see what happened".

"We are a non-league football club, and finances are very precious - but it's not just that financial impact," he said.

"It's hard-hitting seeing someone could have done something like that to a community club."

In a statement posted on social media, the club said: "We are extremely disappointed to report that our Clubhouse building was broken into during the early hours of Monday 18 May."

The club, which is Oxford's oldest, said a "number of items" had been stolen, including the white minibus.

Grant said this included the personal property of volunteers and employees, with damage also done to the clubhouse at Marsh Lane.

Alongside be used to get the club's men's and women's teams to away fixtures, he said the minibus was also used across the community.

"We rely on it for so many things," he said, explaining that its uses include transport for children in the club's college programme.

Thames Valley Police confirmed it was investigating the theft, and urged those with any information regarding the incident to contact the force.