MORE than 100 young footballers were left unable to train this month after thieves stole their floodlights.

Four nine-metre high portable lights worth £11,000, were stolen from Meadow View Park in Thame.

The theft has left many of the 450 children who train there unable to practise on the pitches in the dark midweek evenings.

Site general manager Frank Thompson said: “Someone broke in earlier this month and cut the lights off, cutting the wires and unbolting them.

“It has basically stopped 100 kids from playing football. We’ve got 26 teams who train here each week.”

The £3.1m facilities at Meadow View Park were opened in December 2010.

They include six artificial pitches and two grass pitches which are used by Thame United and the youth teams.

The lights were provided by Thame Football Partnership from a grant awarded by Sport England.

Mr Thompson said: “Unfortunately it takes floodlights to train in the evenings at the moment, so we are hoping to have a new set up and running by next week.

“It’s not the money because we’ve got insurance – it’s the fact it’s stopping children training.”

Under-sevens coach Ravi Rao said: “It makes it especially difficult for the older age groups who want to train in the winter evenings. It is hugely disappointing.”

Sabrina Stallwood, mother of six-year-old Woody, said: “The lights were just there on the football pitch and weren’t covered by CCTV or anything. But you’d think you could trust people.”

Parents and the players helped raise money towards the £1,500 excess for the insurance at the weekend.

Police said the lights were stolen between 5pm on January 6 and 6pm on January 10.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.