Footballer rocked by theft of man-of-match champagne in raid on his home

BURGLARS stole a magnum of champagne which was awarded to a former Scarborough FC captain for his man of the match performance in an FA Cup tie against Chelsea.

Scott Kerr said he had been “devastated” by the theft which happened during a break-in at his home in Leeds.

He was given the award in 2004 after he led his side off the field against the west London club, pipping a team of millionaire superstars to be named man of the match.

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Kerr said no amount of money could replace his memento of the game, widely regarded as the 
biggest in the now defunct club’s history. The raiders had also deprived him of a chance to share his award with his young son one day, he added.

Kerr, now vice-captain of York City, said: “There had been loads of occasions over the years when me and my mates had returned home from a night out, and they had all said ‘crack it open’, but I had always said no.

“I had always planned on opening it up to celebrate when my son turned 18, but I won’t have the chance now.”

Burglars are believed to have hit his home in Barwick in Elmet on the afternoon on Saturday, October 27 when the midfielder was almost 200 miles away playing for York at Southend. A wristwatch, cash, golf clubs, a TV and some computer equipment were also stolen.

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Kerr added: “Things like laptops and televisions, they can be replaced – that’s why you have insurance. But for something like that – you could give me a 
thousand pounds for it but it’s 
not going to make things any easier.”

More than 5,000 fans packed into the McCain Stadium to watch the tie in January 2004.

The all-star Chelsea side 
featured England internationals Frank Lampard and John Terry and World Cup winners Marcel Desailly and Emmanuel Petit.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said officers were investigating the burglary.

Inquiries are ongoing and any witnesses or anyone with information should contact Pc 2931 Gareth Pervin at North-East Leeds police via 101.