CRIMINALS are being urged to hand themselves in to police after an under-10s football team had £250 of equipment stolen.
Police have launched an investigation after Warriors FC in Bransholme was targeted by a gang of offenders.
The club's storage unit at Biggin Hill Primary School was broken into between May 14 and May 21.
A £100 water boiler, Nike footballs, pumps, stopwatches, cones and a kit bag were all stolen.
A lawnmower was also found destroyed.
David Wilkinson, the club's chairman, said: "The kids were absolutely devastated when they found out we had fallen victim to crime.
"The water boiler is worth a lot of money and we used it to warm water and give the kids a hot chocolate after every game during the winter – it was their little treat and we would do it for both us and the opposition.
"We would also make tea and coffee for the parents during games. We charged 40p per drink and it was our way of keeping the club running.
"A lot of our training gear has gone too and it is so annoying.
"The culprits should hand themselves in. At the very least they should think about the people they are hurting. These kids are below the age of ten – it's disgusting."
It is believed a group of thieves climbed an 8ft wall surrounding the school before approaching the storage unit, just outside the main school building. They then broke through a padlock to force entry into the unit and steal the equipment.
"It doesn't just hurt us, but the whole country," said Mr Wilkinson.
"I have always said it is vitally important we invest in our youngsters at grassroots level. That is the only way England are ever going to win a major tournament again.
"But when things like this happen, it sets you back and it is extremely annoying. With the quantity of stuff that was taken, it is likely that it was a group of people involved."
Warriors FC launched two years ago and play in Hull Boys Sunday League Division Two.
The club is now in its close season and will kick off the new campaign in September.
Mr Wilkinson said: "Most of the kids who play for us are from the Bransholme estate and they just love getting out and playing football. My wife Sarah is the manager and we love working together on the team.
"We hope the people who stole from the boys are caught."
Police are considering fixing an alarm to the club's storage unit and are now appealing for information from the public.
A police spokesman said: "Humberside Police are appealing for information following the theft of sports equipment from Warriors Football Club in Bransholme.
"An offender, or offenders, entered the Biggin Hill Primary School grounds on the estate in Hull before forcing entry into a storage container between 9am on Wednesday, May 14, and 5pm on Wednesday, May 21.
"Once entry was gained to the container, they stole a kit bag containing various pieces of training equipment and a Swan water boiler. They also damaged a sit-on lawnmower belonging to the Warriors FC team.
"Police would like to speak to anyone who has information about who may be responsible, or the whereabouts of the stolen property."
Anyone with any information is urged to call Humberside Police on non-emergency number 101 and quoting reference number 2045882. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Do you have a Bransholme story? Email reporter Mark Williams at mark.williams@hulldailymail.co.uk or call him direct on 01482 315105.
Looking for new playersWARRIORS FC under-10s launched in 2012 under the husband and wife management team of David and Sarah Wilkinson.
The Biggin Hill Primary School outfit has gone from strength to strength.
It now plays in Hull Boys Sunday League Division Two and finished seventh last season.
Most of the squad live on the Bransholme housing estate.
Chairman Mr Wilkinson said: "We are a relatively new side, but we have some very good players.
"It is important this country invests in the kids at grassroots level.
"We did well last season, considering the injuries we had to put up with."
The team is searching for new players ahead of next season, which kicks off in September.
Call Mr Wilkinson on 07872 565761.
