The Alliance Football Club player was attacked when he confronted a gang of youths suspected of raiding changing rooms during their non-league game against Mile Oak Reserves on Saturday.

The match was abandoned and police were called to the Cherry Lane ground in Langley Green, Crawley, at around 2.20pm.

A police spokesman said: “Players found a bag containing most of the stolen items in woodland near the back of the playing field, along with a group of youths. One of the suspects was confronted and produced a knife, stabbing one of the players in the neck, causing serious but not life-threatening injuries.”

A spokesman for the South East Coast Ambulance Service said two ambulance cars and an ambulance crew attended and treated the 26-year-old victim, from Crawley, for injuries including a neck wound. He was taken to St George's Hospital in London and his condition was described as stable yesterday.

A 17-year-old boy from Crawley was arrested and subsequently charged with wounding with intent. He appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court yesterday and has been remanded in custody to appear at Worthing Youth Court on Thursday.

A 17-year-old boy from Crawley was arrested on suspicion of burglary and bailed until December 8.

An 18-year-old man from Crawley was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of cannabis, theft and conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm. He has been released on bail until December 8.

Detective sergeant Karrie Bohanna said: "This was a shocking but isolated incident and we are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting 828 of October 24.

No-one from Mile Oak FC was available for comment yesterday and no-one from Alliance FC could be contacted.