A PUB soccer team did not have far to look for help when their changing rooms were ransacked - they were playing the police!

Players from The Black Dog pub team, in Camblesforth, near Selby, had wallets, trainers, a mobile phone and even a spare ball nicked from their changing hut during a cup game against York Police.

But the footy-mad officers, who wisely took their own valuables out onto the pitch touchline, were only too happy to help despite losing the match 4-2.

Club secretary Martin Colt, 38, said: "We couldn't believe it when we got back to the changing rooms and found the valuables missing.

"Someone had left the doors open by mistake.

"I went straight over to the York Police goalkeeper and told him what had happened.

"He phoned a Selby bobby on his mobile phone straight away and he turned up at the pub within minutes.

"He was really helpful and took our statements and sorted out cancelling credit cards.

"It cheered us all up knowing we'd won the game I'm surprised the police lads helped us at all."

The teams, who play in the York and District Sunday Afternoon League, were meeting in the first round of the York FA Cup.

York Police defender Sergeant Andy Farrar said: "We were happy to help even though they beat us I promise we weren't responsible.

"We put our valuables into a bag and take it out with us so we can keep an eye on it.

"It's a lot safer because changing rooms thefts are not uncommon."

Black Dog landlord Martin Petch said: "Our players were a bit down about it when they came back to the pub for a drink.

"It wasn't very amusing for the lads who had stuff nicked but they eventually saw the funny side.

"It was one of those ironic things that happens in life."

Anyone with information about the thefts should contact Selby Police on 01757 702596.

Updated: 09:14 Wednesday, September 19, 2001