'We had no phones, no money and most of the transport had gone, and even the baby's pram'

A Birmingham football team was left stranded after thieves struck while they played, taking cars, phones, wallets, the spare kit and even a baby’s pram.

Bearwood Athletic, who play in Division One of the Birmingham AFA, were targeted during an away match against Parkfield last Saturday.

The gang waited until kick-off at Hollyfield Sports and Conference Centre in Woodacre Road, Erdington, and then pounced during the match.

Their haul included a BMW 3 Series, a C-Class Mercedes and a Ford Transit van full of work tools.

Other valuables included Bearwood’s brand new red and black away kit, more than £500 in cash and eight mobile phones.

One of the stolen cars contained the pram and baby seat one of the players had just bought for his new arrival.

Ada said the squad, which plays its home matches in Smethwick, is most concerned about the theft of the baby equipment and the new kit.

Another team playing a match at the conference centre came to the aid of beleagured Bearwood. He added: "We had no phones, no money and most of the transport had gone, so it was a really nice gesture and it made a real difference to everyone.”

Ada said many of the players were still waiting to speak to police, who did not turn up on the day.

Detectives are now hunting the gang, who are thought to have struck between 2pm and 3.30pm on November 19.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said the force was still trying to trace all of the victims, adding that officers had arrived at the scene after 5pm, but the team had already left.