LYE Town Football Club has been counting the cost after its Stourbridge Road premises were broken into two days running over the New Year period.

Chairman Brian Blakemore said the break-ins had hit the club "very hard financially".

He added: "The intruders took all the stock they could get their hands on but they also stole the safe which was bolted to the floor.

"The safe contained the takings from the previous night's New Year's Eve party and the thieves must have used some form of cutting equipment to remove the safe.

"We made the premises secure overnight, only to discover we were broken into again the following day.

"We have since installed a new security system at the club.

"But we feel it was no coincidence that the safe was taken when it contained the previous night's takings."

Mr Blakedown said the changing rooms, kitchen and boardroom were also broken into and suffered a "considerable amount of damage in the process".

He added: "It's such a shame, because on the pitch, the club is doing so well at the moment and we could go second in the Midland Football League this week if we beat Tipton Town.

"As a result, our support has been steadily increasing, so it's such a blow when something like this happens.

"We would urge anyone who has any information about the break-ins to contact the police."

It's the latest burglary to hit borough sport clubs.

Only last week, thieves stole around £1,000 worth of grass cutting equipment from Halesowen Town Football Club.