WE are urgently seeking the help of the West Ham 'family' in trying to find and recover Ken Brown's FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup medals which have been stolen from his Norfolk home.

Ken and his wife Elaine returned from holiday earlier today (May 1) to discover that thieves had raided their house at Blofield, near Norwich, where they removed the safe containing these precious items which mark the highlights of Ken's Hammers career that spanned 455 games over 15 seasons.

As well as his two treasured Wembley winners' medals and the 1958 Second Division promotion-winning medal, Ken has also lost two medals from his successful days as Norwich City manager - one commemorating the Canaries' League Cup triumph in 1985 and the other promotion to the top flight a year later.

They were taken between Wednesday, April 29 at 6.15am and Friday, May 1 at 12.30am.

There is no reason to believe the thieves had any prior intent to specifically steal the football medals and may not be aware of their financial or sentimental value.
Also stolen from the address were a set of Winston Churchill gold medals, a Modavo ladies’ watch, various items of jewellery and cash.

Ken said: “I had such a great time with both West Ham United and Norwich City 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.”

Please keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. If you hear of anyone offering the above items for sale, or have any information on their possible whereabouts, contact DC Matthew Jenkins at Great Yarmouth CID on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Between us, let's do all we can to reunite a West Ham United legend with his valuable possessions.