HALESOWEN Town FC has been hit by a second major break-in in five months, with thieves escaping with a £1,000 haul of grass cutting equipment.

A storage shed at the Hawne Lane ground was broken into overnight on Monday and three strimmers and three mowers taken.

The club, which is doing well mid-table in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, was broken into in August with cash and televisions from the James Grove Lounge among the items stolen.

Chairman Colin Brookes described the latest theft as “heartbreaking” but vowed the club would bounce back and would use what equipment was left to prepare the pitch for Saturday’s game.

He said: “We were just getting back on our feet, everything was going well on and off the pitch and then these low life come and do this.

“It’s very distressing and disappointing.”

Mr Brookes said the thieves must have used transport to take away the equipment .

He appealed for nearby residents who may have seen something suspicious, or anyone who is offered a cheap second-hand mower or strimmer for sale, to contact the police.

Last summer’s re-launched prize draw by the Friends of the Grove helped cover the cost of the damage caused in the previous break-in, paying for a roller shutter door for the press box.

Friends’ organiser Rob Lloyd said: “The aim of the fund is to help out with some of the unexpected costs that crop up outside the normal budget.”

He said the draw was going from strength to strength and now has 47 members paying £10 a month for a chance of four cash prizes, the top one being £100.

Almost £3,000 has been raised through the draw so far and proceeds have also been spent on upgraded signage.

The next project is to replace worn out netting around the ground which stops footballs flying into neighbours’ gardens.

The fund may now have to help cover costs of the latest break-in.

Mr Lloyd, who is appealing for more people to join the prize draw, said: “The more people that join the more money that can be generated for the upkeep of the stadium and to increase prize money.”

Anyone interested in joining – whether or not they are regular spectators – should email Mr Lloyd at friendsofthegrove@yahoo.co.uk