Three points are worth more than my Merc!

Not even the loss of his £30,000 Mercedes could put a damper of Latics chairman Simon Corney’s mood on Monday night: he was watching his team win 2-1 at the time!

He reportedly said afterwards: “I couldn’t care less about the car, as long as we got the three points.”

The theft occurred during Athletic’s game against MK Dons at Boundary Park. The Mercedes E350 was parked and locked in the directors’ car park.

It was only when Mr Corney left the ground at 10pm that he realised the car had been stolen.

Latics chief executive Alan Hardy said: “He thought someone was winding him up because he had the keys with him.

“Thinking it was a joke, he blamed me initially and said ‘All right, where is it?’

“When he realised what happened, he called the police and reported it stolen.”

Mr Hardy said he did not want to speculate on who took the vehicle and said the matter was now with the police.

He said: “I don’t think whoever took it knew it was Simon’s car, there are another two directors who have similar Mercedes parked alongside it.

“Cars have been parked there lots of times before and there hasn’t been a problem. It will be difficult to tighten up security. Simon will have to get another car now. Maybe a bike would be a good idea?”

Greater Manchester police confirmed receiving a theft report call from Mr Corney at 10.35pm.

Officers have examined CCTV and inquiries continue.