Pitchero Non League

Insult was added to injury for Durham after they lost a 2-1 lead to go down 4-2 in last Saturday's Evo-Stik First Division North fixture against Cammell Laird on Merseyside.

On returning to their team bus following the match at The Laird Sports Club in Birkenhead, the team discovered their distinctive yellow home kit was missing.

The team did not need to wear the strip, similar to the iconic colours of the Brazil national team, last Saturday, so it was left in the baggage area of the bus.

It is thought the theft took place while the bus was in the car park outside the ground during the match.

Police were informed of the theft, but City officials fear the strips will not be recovered - leaving them to play the rest of the season home and away in their all blue change strip.

Durham's joint-manager Richard Ord, well-known as a long-serving centre back with Sunderland in the 1990s, said about twenty strips were taken.

He said: "Apart from the money aspect, which costs the club about £500, it's going to be a huge inconvenience because we've now got only one strip to play in now and there's nearly half the season left.

"We've already informed the league and asked them if we can play in our away kits.

"If we're not allowed I don't know what we'll do.

"Times are tough as it is, so we certainly can't afford another kit."

Due to the spate of postponements with the heavy snow earlier in the winter, City still have 16 fixtures to play this season.

But, as the club's home ground, The Esh Group Stadium at Belmont, has an all-weather surface, most of the outstanding games are away, starting at league leaders Chester FC on Saturday.

That could pose the first dilemma for one-strip Durham, as Chester's usual home colours are blue.

Merseyside Police, meanwhile, confirmed it is investigating the theft, believed to have taken place between 3 and 5pm last Saturday.

Tags: News | Durham City

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