FOOTBALL bosses in Chickerell rode to the rescue of club 'mum' Pat Drage after thieves stole her bike.

Care worker Mrs Drage, 61, of Corporation Road, Weymouth was left stranded when a young thief snatched her bike from a garden in Abbotsbury Road while she was visiting an elderly client last weekend.

But Chickerell United chiefs were on the ball with a new bike for the woman who has washed team kits every week for the last five years.

Mrs Drage's son, Dave, manages the Chickerell senior football team - but her dedication has led all the players and officials to see her as their 'mum'. Club chairman, Terry Stone said: "Mrs Drage has been a big supporter of the club and this is one way we can say thank you to her. She does so much for the club we call her our 'mum'.

"She has been washing football kits for the past five years and is always taking phone messages for us. Her son, Dave, has been instrumental in setting up mini-soccer, which started this season.

"We were trying to find a bike in the club colours of red and white, but we thought she probably sees enough of the kit as it is!"

Grandmother Mrs Drage is employed by Dorset social services as a home care worker in the Westham area and needs her bike to travel from house to house. After the theft, dedicated Mrs Drage walked several miles a day visiting pensioners who need help washing, dressing and preparing meals.

But offers have flooded in since the Echo featured Mrs Drage's plight on Tuesday and a neighbour loaned her a mountain bike.

The new bike, bought from Westham Cycles, is the same model as the stolen one. A delighted Mrs Drage said: "I'm thrilled - it is so good of the club to think of me. I never expected this to happen.

"Everyone has been very kind, stopping me on my rounds to ask whether the old bike has been returned yet." Club officials presented the new bicycle to Mrs Drage outside Westham Cycles.