A SECOND attack by thieves in just over two months has left a Blackburn football club struggling to stage games.

Bosses at Mill Hill have seen a large sit-down mower, plus a smaller mower and generator, worth £5,000, taken from the Griffin Ground, off Stancliffe Street, some time between Thursday night and Saturday morning.

The East Lancashire League club had only just recovered from a serious raid, at the end of September, where the changing rooms were wrecked by intruders seeking scrap metal.

Without the mowers, club groundsmen will struggle to make the pitch playable, putting fixtures for several teams in jeopardy.

Terry Lamb, an executive committee member, said: “This has devastated us. This time they have broken into another part of the building.

“If we cannot get the grass cut then we might have to cancel games.

“We run 34 teams, from under-sevens right up to the senior side.”

An appeal for help has now been launched by the cash-strapped club, to any tradesmen in the Blackburn area who can help.

Several footballs and power tools were also taken in the previous burglary.

Damage was caused to the boiler room, showers and urinals, forcing the club to abandon fixtures.

Repairs were carried out through club contacts, with the pipework replaced by a cheaper plastic alternative.

Mr Lamb can be contacted, with any offers of help, on 07904 891623.

Possible witnesses to the burglary can also contact Mill Hill neighbourhood police sergeant Paul Schofield on 0845 125 3545.