A signed football shirt was stolen from a club in Atherton.
Thieves targeted the Atherton Collieries Football Club on Alder Street sometime between 8pm on 10 March 2010 and 8.45am on 12 March 2010.
They forced open the side door and, once inside, stole a number of items including a projector, a screen, a DVD player and a Bolton Wanderers shirt from the 2007/08 season donated by Nicolas Anelka. It is signed by the team and contained in a thin black frame.
The burglars also emptied kit bags and wheelie bins and filled them with large amounts of beer and spirits from behind the bar and the cellar. They also tried to steal two petrol lawnmowers but these were found abandoned in the grounds.
It is believed the thieves then dumped the wheelie bins in a nearby street, taking the booze with them.
Police are now appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.
Police Constable Lawrence McDonald said: "The club are clearly devastated they have been targeted and desperately want their property returned.
The football shirt, in particular, is only of value to these thieves if they try to sell it and I would urge the public to help us stop these criminals in their tracks and do not let them profit from their greed.
Please, if you are offered either this signed shirt or large amount of alcohol, do not buy them and call police immediately."
From April 2009 to January 2010, the number of burglaries has dropped by 13% - meaning more than 2,500 fewer victims of crime across Greater Manchester but while these are encouraging statistics the best thing we can offer victims is to reunite them with their property, so please if you do have information then get in touch.
Anyone with information should call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 7329 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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