YOUNG footballers have been left disappointed after thieves stole six of their goalposts.

The black and white 12ft by 6ft Samba goals, worth a total of £700, were taken from the Swindon Rangers’ home, at the site of the former Headlands School, between February 17 and February 23.

The team is asking people to look out for the three sets, which they believe could be for sale on the internet.

But they are also hoping businesses will come forward to pay for new ones.

Under nines manager Clint Ricketts said: “Everyone is quite upset about it. Games had to be cancelled and rescheduled at the weekend.

“It’s not just us that have been affected, it’s the away teams that were coming to us. They had to be phoned at the last minute.

“More than 100 kids were put out on Sunday in some way or another.”

The three sets of goalposts that were taken are used for under sevens, eights, nines, 10s and 11s.

“The thieves made a hole in the fence and then scaled another fence to get into the locked compound. It must have taken a while, it takes about half an hour to take a goal down,” said Clint.

“There must have been more than one of them; there is no way one person could have done that.

“They are made of plastic so they have no commercial scrap value. I don’t know why they would have taken them. Someone thinks they’re clever.”

Clint found out the goals had been taken when he got a phonecall from one of the other managers on Saturday afternoon.

“He said we had to reschedule a load of games because the goals had gone missing. Instead of four sets of goals we only had one,” said Clint.

“On Sunday we ran four games with one set of goals at different times instead of having all the games at the same time.

“Two of the games had to be cancelled. Because of the winter evenings, there just wasn’t enough time.

“There are a couple of clubs that are possibly going to lend us a set of goals, but that is only a short-term solution.”

Swindon Rangers Under 10s, who claimed the league and cup double in 2012, won The Young Team of the Year at the Adver’s Sports Awards 2012 this week.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said investigations were ongoing.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, where information can be left anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Anyone who can help pay for new goalposts should call Clint on 07585162655.