Colchester United players had to borrow boots for Saturday's match against Bournemouth after a series of burglaries at the club.

Players' boots, footballs and physiotherapy equipment were among items taken from the Layer Road club in the break-ins on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The burglars took a full set of youth team kit forcing them to cancel their match against Leyton Orient.

Club spokesman Brian Wheeler said about three players including Joe Keith played in other team members' boots for the 3-1 win on Saturday.

"They had to rally round and sort out the kit."

He said security at the club has been stepped up following the weekend's break-ins.

"We changed the locks after the first one but they were just so determined they got in again," he said.

The club is now to put up closed circuit television cameras.

The burglars made off with a complete red away clash kit which is needed for next Saturday's match, but Mr Wheeler said a new kit would be ready by the weekend.

He said: "It is more of a nuisance than anything else.

"We will have to buy new strip and boots which will have to be broken in."

Early estimates are that £5,000 worth of kit has been taken.

Mr Wheeler said the red strip is not for sale and on the other stolen kit has a Nationwide logo which is not on retail replicas.

He said this would make it easy to spot if anyone tried to sell it.

Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester police, said: "If anyone is offered any football kit in unusual circumstances they should get in touch with the police."

If you have any information about the break-ins contact police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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