A pub soccer team has learnt the true meaning of "football strip" after thieves ran away with the players' spare kit.

Members of AFC Market, from the New Market pub in Bear Road, Brighton, were left shivering on the sidelines after kit and valuables were stolen from cars parked in Stanmer Park.

Last Sunday substitutes had to swap kit in chilly temperatures, interrupting the game as on-coming and off-going players shared socks, shorts and tops.

As well as losing their modesty, players have also been hit in the pocket.

The raiders robbed them of the money they had been saving to go to one of the world's most prestigious amateur football tournaments.

Club spokesman Ian South said: "Seven or eight cars were broken into.

"They took everything - all our mobile phones, our wallets, some keys, all the spare cash and our five spare tops.

"The police said they must have been watching us because they knew exactly where all the stuff was.

"One bloke lost a £600 gold bracelet given to him by his dad. It's insured but you can't replace the sentimental value.

"Another of our guys lost a divers' watch which he's had for 30 years.

"When you add it all up they've taken about £4,000 worth of stuff and that doesn't include all the damage to cars.

"We've been saving up to go to the Umbro International tournament in Manchester, on July 18. It's the biggest amateur football tournament in the world with 400 teams from 24 countries taking part but, as it stands, we won't be going unless we can find extra sponsorship."

The loss of the money has hit the club hardest because it was uninsured.

Ian said: "We had saved £560 and were one-third of the way there but now we're back to square one.

"We can't claim any of that money back from our personal insurance because it belonged to the club."

After being formed four seasons ago, the pub players have risen through the ranks of the Sussex Sunday Football League.

They were Division 9 runners up in their first season, Division 6 champions in their second season and Division 3 champions the following year.

The kit and valuables were stolen on the morning of Sunday February 9.

A police spokes-man said: "We investigated this crime on the day and if anyone has any information they should call 0845 6070999."