Karl Morecroft, chairman and coach of the children’s football club RTB Ebbw Vale, has been sentenced after stealing £22,491 from the organisation to fund a cocaine addiction estimated to cost £1,000 a week. The case was heard at Cardiff Crown Court, where Morecroft, 45, of Blaina, Gwent, admitted to fraud.

Morecroft misappropriated funds intended for kit and administrative expenses, forging HM Revenue and Customs documents to conceal his theft. The financial loss left the club struggling to meet basic expenses, forcing it to borrow money to provide medals and trophies for its players. The club currently has approximately 330 children enrolled.

Joshua Holvey, the club’s treasurer, described the impact as severe, noting that RTB Ebbw Vale now faces an uncertain future as a result of the financial mismanagement. Morecroft has only repaid £1,000 of the stolen funds to date.

Judge Paul Hobson, presiding over the case, stressed the breach of trust Morecroft had committed against the community and the club, saying, "Those people trusted you. You betrayed that trust."

Morecroft was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and attend 50 days of rehabilitation. Additionally, he must repay £21,259 within three years or face imprisonment.