This article was written and contributed by Simon Lazarus who writes for a number of national and international publications.

With the mighty Bantams of Bradford City knocking out Arsenal to reach the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, Arsenal aren’t the only football team protesting ‘we was robbed’.

This time robbery of a more criminal nature has struck in the dressing rooms of Ipswich Town. Following on from the recent spate of thefts at Millwall and Chelsea, Portman Road has succumbed to the mystery locker room raiders who have made off with a number of watches and a wedding ring all going missing from the changing room.

This all transpired in the away changing rooms which were being used at the time by Peterborough United, currently at the foot of the npower Championship League, for their recent away Championship fixture.

An enquiry has already taken place to uncover the culprit after three of Posh’s players had their possessions pinched after their 1-1 draw with the Tractor Boys.

(Ed: For our non-UK readers, ‘Posh’ is the nickname for Peterborough United while ‘the Tractor Boys’ is the nickname for Ipswich Town.)

George Thorne

So what did these pesky thieves help themselves to? It seems they enjoy a taste for classic arm candy as they walked off with a stunning Rolex whose owner was none other than combative midfielder George Thorne.

At just 19, Thorne has already had an impressive start to his football career and is currently on loan from high flying West Bromwich Albion.

At just 16 years, 328 days, he is the youngest player to play for the Albion in a competitive game for more than half a century and has represented England at Under 17, 18 and 19 levels.

Jonson Clarke-Harris

Gabriel Zakuani

Thorne’s timepiece is valued at around £7,000, while teen substitute striker Jonson Clarke-Harris had his watch stolen which was estimated in the region of £4,000. Another sub, stalwart defender Gabriel Zakuani had his wedding ring nabbed to the tune of £1,500. No doubt these thieves felt like a kid in a Cartier Store.

Portman Road: Ipswich Town’s football ground

After the game, Posh boss Darren Ferguson, son of the legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex, declared that he did not hold Ipswich Town culpable for the situation.

Investigations are on-going thanks to Suffolk Constabulary who are keeping all their options open. They have carried out routine interviews with relevant staff as well as viewing closed-circuit television cameras in order to track down those responsible.

Something became fishy immediately after the full time whistle was blown when a police officer was requested to enter the dressing rooms. In fact, Zukani, originally from the Congo, took out his frustration via his own Twitter account by saying;

“Whoever stole my wedding ring is such a tramp…It’s sad when you can’t leave things in the changing room”.

Meanwhile, a statement from an Ipswich Town spokesman addressed the events;

“Police were in attendance at the game anyway but were asked to investigate allegations that a number of items, namely two watches and a wedding ring, were taken from the Peterborough United dressing room.”

The total crime spree is reportedly worth upwards of £12,500. Time is certainly ticking on the perpetrator to come forward but it looks like this one may go into extra time.