A MALVERN football club was hit by vandals and thieves over the weekend.

Members of West Malvern FC arrived at their ground on Saturday morning to find the goalposts had been pulled to the ground.

It took manager Terry Cole and colleagues a couple of hours to repair the posts, in time for the afternoon game against Littleton Reserves.

Then thieves struck the changing room while they were playing and stole cash, wallets and a mobile phone.

Mr Cole said the goalpost vandals had evidently held a bonfire party, as there was a large burned patch near the pitch and drinks containers and spent fireworks scattered around.

"We had to pick them all up before the game," he said. "It's the time that it takes that's annoying."

The break-in at the changing room took place while the afternoon's game was being played.

"It must have been between about 2.15pm, when we started, and about 3.45pm when a player who had been substituted went back and discovered it," said Mr Cole.

The burglar evidently attempted to break in using a file and, when that failed, kicked his way in.

An estimated £100 in cash was stolen from various members of both teams, as well as the mobile phone.

He said the teams normally put valuables into a bag and take the bag down to the pitch with them, but had forgotten on this occasion.

"It's the inconvenience again," said Mr Cole. "People have to cancel their cards and that sort of thing."

West Malvern lost the county cup tie 4-2.