THIEVES stole money and jewellery from Burnley players' wallets and bags during Saturday's victory over Southampton.

Police were called to the St Mary's stadium, Southampton, minutes after the final whistle, when players from both sides returned to the dressing rooms to find money and jewellery missing.

The victims have not been identified, but it is believed nine Clarets and five Southampton players were targeted in a theft worth more than £2,500 in total.

Club staff and officials who were at the ground during the afternoon were quizzed by police after the discovery.

The thief is said to have struck some time between 3.55pm, when the players returned to the pitch after half time, and 5.15pm, when the discovery was made.

Burnley won the Championship game thanks to a Steven Caldwell header just before half-time.

It is believed that the entire sum has been reimbursed to the Clarets players by red-faced bosses at Saints.

It is not known if both the home and away changing rooms at the ground routinely remain unlocked during the game.

A Southampton FC spokesman said: "We can confirm that there was an incident which we are investigating but we cannot comment further until we have more details."

A spokesman for Hampshire police confirmed police from Southampton responded to a call from the club and attended the ground following Saturday's 1-0 defeat and they are now investigating the theft.

Nobody has been arrested.

A spokesman for Burnley football club refused to comment on the incident.