BURGLARS broke into a changing room and stole players' belongings when they were on the pitch.

After the match, which saw Usk Town FC beat Cwmffrwdoer Football Club four goals to three, the players discovered the changing rooms had been burgled.

Cash and credit cards were stolen from the ground at Island Car Park, Llambadoc.

Colin Jones, Usk Town FC Secretary, said it had been the first incident like this since the changing rooms had been built eight years ago.

Mr Jones said: "I don't know how much was taken but it would have been a substantial sum certainly into the thousands of pounds.

"The team won the game but when they found what had happened the atmosphere was ruined."

He said that the thieves got to the changing rooms through the roof. He said: "We shall be using the changing rooms again but we have learnt a nasty lesson and we will make sure it won't happen again and probably install safes in there."

A spokeswoman from Gwent Police said they received the call at 3.55pm on Saturday that two changing rooms at the Island Car Park had been broken into.

She said: "Two changing rooms were broken into with a variety of possessions taken including money, bank cards, wallets, mobile phones and jewellery.

"Statements were taken from the victims and a scenes of crime officer attended the scene and we are investigating the incident."

She said anyone who saw anything between 1.15pm and 3.55pm on Saturday was asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.