Season after season Touchline tells of the credible thief clearing out the valuables bag by posing as a home or away official. We have given police advice and issued continued warnings and it seems likely that the thief or thieves must by now have bought a villa in the South of France, only popping back on match weekends to collect a few more goody bags.

Players and referees have been targeted, car keys and cars purloined, wallets and wedding rings snatched. It’s a lucrative little earner taking care of the valuables or claiming them back from behind the club bar.

Recently, Bristol United handed over their valuables at Newbury; a match between Wellington and Ivel Barbarians saw wallets and mobile phones walk away before the final whistle and at Winchester RFC, Sandown & Shanklin players left considerably poorer than when they arrived.

“He’s making a living out of this modus operandi, confident enough to have committed hundreds of similar offences throughout the country,” said Superintendent John Barfoot of Hertfordshire Police.

Teams please note: handing over your valuables bag to someone not travelling with or connected to your team may simply finance the continuing career of the rugby club robber. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!