Former Norwich City boss Ken Brown has issued a plea after thieves stole winners’ medals from his home.

The 81-year-old played for West Ham between 1953 and 1967 before managing The Canaries from 1980 to 1987.

The defender won the FA Cup and European Cup-Winners’ Cup with the Hammers, before winning promotion to the old Division One with Norwich as a manager, and leading them to victory in the 1985 Milk Cup.

Thieves made off with his FA Cup, European Cup-Winners’ Cup and Milk Cup medals following a burglary at his home in Blofield, Norfolk, between 6.15am on Wednesday and 12.30am today.

Mr Brown said: “I had such a great time with both Norwich City and West Ham United and feel a huge amount 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.

“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.”

A set of Winston Churchill gold medals, a Modavo ladies’ watch, various items of jewellery and cash were also taken.

Anyone with information can contact Dc Matthew Jenkins at Great Yarmouth CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.