A former Croydon Athletic striker stole two mobile phones from Premiership star Anton Ferdinand after a row over a girl's telephone number.

Leon McDowall is facing jail after pleading guilty to robbing the West Ham defender.

Croydon Crown Court heard on Monday that McDowall confronted Ferdinand younger brother of Manchester United and England defender, Rio when he found out he had been "chatting up" his girlfriend in Escapade nightclub.

McDowall demanded Ferdinand, who was out with Hammers' captain Nigel Reo-Coker, erase the girl's number from his mobile phone.

Later that evening the 22-year-old from Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, again met Ferdinand outside the Hazar kebab shop.

It was there he took two mobile telephones from Ferdinand.

McDowall, who has also played for AFC Wimbledon, was arrested on Saturday, September 10, in the dressing room minutes before Croydon Athletic's FA Cup match against Ramsgate at the Mayfields ground in Thornton Heath.

Ferdinand was due to give evidence at Monday's hearing but on the eve of his trial McDowall changed his not guilty plea.

In addition to stealing the phones, McDowall had been accused of stealing a Cartier watch and gold chain from Ferdinand's teammate Nigel Reo-Coker and a ring from non-league footballer Christopher Nurse.

But at Monday's hearing Judge Cedric Joseph ruled the charges relating to Reo-Coker and Nurse, to which McDowall pleaded not guilty at a previous court appearance, should lie on file.

Judge Cedric Joseph insisted McDowall, who has been in custody since shortly after his arrest, is likely to face a prison term when he is sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on January 13 next year.

McDowall's solicitor Roderick Jones described the circumstances surrounding the robbery as "extraordinary" saying the pair only met outside the nightclub "by chance".

Despite the defence counsel's pleas for leniency, Judge Joseph said the disagreement over a telephone number "did not justify a robbery".

The Croydon footballer's mum, dad and girlfriend were in court to see McDowall, who was dressed in a black jumper and black shirt.

As McDowall was led back down to the cells from the dock his mum shouted: "I love you son".