Club’s appeal after football medal stolen
RARE FA TROPHY WINNERS GONG TAKEN DURING RAID BY THIEVES
THIEVES who ruined a Christmas Day breakfast for the homeless and lonely after smashing up a football club also made off with a rare FA Trophy winners medal. Curzon Ashton FC’s Tameside Stadium in Ashton-under-Lyne was broken into in the early hours of Christmas Eve. Crooks trashed ‘everything they saw,’ stealing Christmas presents and cash from a safe. The venue was so badly damaged that volunteers at the club were forced to cancel the breakfast event, potentially leaving some of the area’s most vulnerable alone and without somewhere to go on Christmas Day. Police launched an investigation, and it has since been discovered that a rare FA Trophy Winners Medal was also taken during the raid. GMP Tameside North shared an image of the medal on Facebook, urging anyone with information to come forward. Curzon Ashton FC has also appealed for help to catch those responsible. The club said in a statement: “At around 2am, the Tameside Stadium was broken into, significant damage has been caused and items have been stolen. As a result we had to cancel our Christmas Day opening – which was a massive success last year. “The day, which was aimed at the homeless, lonely and socially isolated, would have allowed for a free Christmas breakfast, games and company – with members of the club, local organisations and volunteers giving their time to provide, transport, food and gifts. “We would like to appeal for any witnesses or anyone with any information to come forward. We would like to also thank the local community for all their messages of support and we are looking forward to hosting more events for the community in the new year.” Anyone with information can contact GMP on 101 quoting crime reference number 342493R/18. Curzon Ashton FC statement