Mary Kenny – whose son Paddy is an Irish international footballer and plays in goal for Sheffield United – had parked her car in Westgate, Elland, when the raiders struck.

She left her handbag – which contained £300 she had drawn out to pay a bill – under the front passenger seat.

She said: "I just didn't think. I don't usually carry that much money around with me. It's usually only £10 or £20.

"I don't think they could have seen the bag in the front because the windows are dark, so they must have been watching me."

Mrs Kenny, 57, who lives in Halifax, returned to her BMW X3 to find the lights flashing and broken glass from the front passenger window scattered across the car.

She said: "I was really upset. When I told Paddy he said not to be sad and worse things happen."

Mrs Kenny hopes what happened will serve a warning to others to be more careful.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said anyone who witnessed the theft, which happened between 8.30am and 10am on Monday, should call 0845 6060606 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

He urged people to remove all valuable items from their cars and to keep vehicles locked – and alarmed where possible.