A FOOTBALL team turned up to its weekend match to find its changing rooms had been stolen.

Thieves removed the 40-foot steel unit, similar to the one pictured, which houses showers, toilets and sinks, from Fern Street Park, Farnworth.

The theft of the three-tonne container, which had electricity and water supplies, has left Farnworth Town players and residents dumbstruck.

Thieves left water gushing out on to the park and live electricity cables exposed, just yards from a children’s play area.

Players were forced to change in their cars and calls were made to match officials and the opposition to warn them of the lack of facilities.

Despite the disruption, Farnworth Town went on to beat Ormskirk 4-3.

The council has now told the team they can use a pitch in Harper Green for the rest of the season.

The changing facilities — which are similar in size and weight to a shipping container — contain three showers, two toilets and two changing rooms.

The unit has been in place for the use of amateur players for the past seven years and is almost identical to another at nearby Darley Park.

Team manager Jason Tyldesley said: “There’s a lot of anger about it.”

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “They left the water flooding out and live electricity wires, and it’s close to a play area — it put lives at risk.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 872 5050.