A FOOTBALL team was forced to call off a big game — after thieves stole their goalposts!

The break-in at a cabin was only discovered at Bury Amateur’s ground, in Cams Lane, Radcliffe, just two hours before Saturday’s scheduled kick-off.

Bury Amateurs are currently top of Manchester League Division One and they could have clinched promotion to the premier division if they had beaten Breightmet United last weekend.

First team assistant manager, Mike Kosub said: “Our chairman, Nick Kingston, turned up at the ground at noon on Saturday and found the storage cabin door ajar. Four uprights, which cost about £2,000 when originally bought, had been stolen as well as power tools.

“But the crossbars weren’t taken.

“We believe the metal uprights were stolen to be melted down as they’re probably worth a few bob. Thankfully, we’ve managed to get a loan from Woodbank FC to last us until the end of the season.”

He added: “The theft was a disappointment to us as everyone was turning up in the hope of having a big celebration afterwards.”

However, Bury Amateurs hope they can secure promotion this Saturday when they take on Wilmslow Albion away from home.

l The Breightmet game has now been re-arranged at Cams Lane on April 14.