Football fan Cliff Royle today told of his anger after his coveted autograph book containing the signatures of the West Ham squad was stolen.

Cliff Royle, of Prittle Chase, Benfleet, told how he had attended the friendly match between West Ham and Dutch side Vitessearmhem at Roots Hall, the home ground of Southend United Football Club.

Cliff, 38, said: "After the match I waited patiently to get the autographs of the players including Joe Cole and Trevor Sinclair who both play for England as well as West Ham.

"I was standing there by the team coach when I was approached by a scruffy man in a West Ham shirt who was covered in tattoos who snatched my autograph book from me."

Cliff, who works as an maintenance assistant at Graceland residential home, in London Road, Hadleigh, has collected autographs as a hobby since he was young.

Cliff reported the theft to Southend police and plans to send a new autograph book to Upton Park, home ground of West Ham in the hope that the players will once again provide their signatures.

Published Tuesday August 13, 2002

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