A FORMER West Ham footballer says a series of petty thefts is killing the youth football club he helps run.

Langdon Pumas Youth Football Club has had more than £1,800 of equipment stolen since it moved to the McLaren Sports Ground, in Dunton Road, Laindon in January.

In the latest incident, a marquee, worth more about £500, was stolen in the early hours of last Saturday morning. Ropes fencing off part of the ground were also cut, causing £10 damage.

The incident has angered club officials who say such incidents, each of them relatively minor, add up to a serious problem for the club.

Chairman Steve Jones, a former Billericay Town, Charlton Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers and West Ham player, said: “When these petty thefts keep happening, it is devastating for a club like ours.

“It is killing us, because we don’t have loads of money to replace everything getting stolen.

“Whoever is doing this is stealing from little kids who just want to have a good time and play football. It’s disgusting and needs to stop. We are a really fast-growing club and we can’t give our kids the best when we have these people coming along and taking things such as our footballs and equipment, which cost lots of money to replace.”

Six weeks ago, the club’s toilets and sinks were smashed and the taps stolen. A BBQ and electrical cable was also taken.

In April, thieves broke into a shipping container, used as a store, and stole training equipment worth £500, soft drinks worth £350 and a tea urn worth £100. In total they got away with £1,100 of property.

Mr Jones, 41, from Langdon Hills, added: “I was due to have my son’s birthday party at the club on Sunday and we were going to use the marquee, so the party was nearly ruined as well.

“Thank goodness the weather was OK and we were still able to have bouncy castles and a football party at the ground.”

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to call Basildon police station on 0300 3334444.