West Ham United great Ken Brown has been left devastated after his priceless medals were stolen in a burglary at his home.
Ken Brown (holding giant hammer) was part of West Ham United's greatest-ever side
West Ham United legend Ken Brown has been left devastated after his priceless medals were stolen in a burglary at his home.
The Hammers great and his wife returned to their house in Norfolk following a cruise holiday to find callous thieves had broken in and made off with his 1964 FA Cup and 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup medals.
The 81-year-old’s 1986 League Cup winner’s medal won while manager of Norwich City was also stolen, leaving Brown so shocked and shaken that he has reluctantly cancelled his weekend return to the Boleyn Ground – where he was to join former teammates to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their Cup Winners’ Cup success.
Having immediately called in the police, Brown has appealed to West Ham fans and the wider football community to keep an eye out for his stolen mementoes, and alert the authorities should they be approached to buy them or see them being advertised for sale.
“I had such a great time with both West Ham United and Norwich City and feel a great deal of pride when I look back at my medals and to think that someone has entered my home and taken them hurts me a lot,” said Brown, who is a welcome regular visitor to the Boleyn Ground on matchdays.
“To me it’s the sentimental value of what’s been taken that matters more. I have grandchildren who play football and I love being able to show them the medals when they come and visit. They won’t like to see their granddad upset but unfortunately that’s how I feel at the moment.
“My wife and I feel violated that someone could take items of such personal significance and I can only hope those responsible for doing this can see how pointless it is to take something that has no value to them and such great value to us.”
The Hammers great and his wife returned to their house in Norfolk following a cruise holiday to find callous thieves had broken in and made off with his 1964 FA Cup and 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup medals.
The 81-year-old’s 1986 League Cup winner’s medal won while manager of Norwich City was also stolen, leaving Brown so shocked and shaken that he has reluctantly cancelled his weekend return to the Boleyn Ground – where he was to join former teammates to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their Cup Winners’ Cup success.
Having immediately called in the police, Brown has appealed to West Ham fans and the wider football community to keep an eye out for his stolen mementoes, and alert the authorities should they be approached to buy them or see them being advertised for sale.
“I had such a great time with both West Ham United and Norwich City and feel a great deal of pride when I look back at my medals and to think that someone has entered my home and taken them hurts me a lot,” said Brown, who is a welcome regular visitor to the Boleyn Ground on matchdays.
“To me it’s the sentimental value of what’s been taken that matters more. I have grandchildren who play football and I love being able to show them the medals when they come and visit. They won’t like to see their granddad upset but unfortunately that’s how I feel at the moment.
“My wife and I feel violated that someone could take items of such personal significance and I can only hope those responsible for doing this can see how pointless it is to take something that has no value to them and such great value to us.”
Forest Gate-born Brown enjoyed a storybook career with West Ham, graduating from the Academy and spending 14 seasons in the first-team squad between 1953 and 1967.
The centre-half played a central role in the greatest period in Hammers history, playing alongside Bobby Moore for nearly a decade as the Club won promotion before lifting their first major domestic and European trophies.
Voted Hammer of the Year in 1959, Brown earned his sole England cap against Northern Ireland the same year. In all, he made 474 appearances for the Club, scoring four goals.
Brown later enjoyed a successful management career with Norwich City, Shrewsbury Town and Plymouth Argyle. His son, Kenny, also played for the Club during the 1990s.
Police are appealing for further information and asking anyone who thinks they may have come into contact with any of the stolen items to contact DC Matthew Jenkins at Great Yarmouth CID on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The centre-half played a central role in the greatest period in Hammers history, playing alongside Bobby Moore for nearly a decade as the Club won promotion before lifting their first major domestic and European trophies.
Voted Hammer of the Year in 1959, Brown earned his sole England cap against Northern Ireland the same year. In all, he made 474 appearances for the Club, scoring four goals.
Brown later enjoyed a successful management career with Norwich City, Shrewsbury Town and Plymouth Argyle. His son, Kenny, also played for the Club during the 1990s.
Police are appealing for further information and asking anyone who thinks they may have come into contact with any of the stolen items to contact DC Matthew Jenkins at Great Yarmouth CID on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.