Football Chairman Stole £22,491 for Cocaine

Karl Morecroft, 45, has been sentenced for stealing £22,491 from RTB Ebbw Vale junior football club. Over a 15-month period, Morecroft, who served as chairman, transferred club funds to himself, falsely claiming the money was for equipment, fees, and penalties. He also fabricated HMRC documents to disguise the fraudulent transactions. The club, which supports 330 children, relied heavily on volunteers and fundraising.

Concealing the Fraud

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Morecroft, who coached under-eights and under-nines before becoming chairman in 2023, repeatedly misled club treasurer Joshua Holvey. He requested reimbursements for fabricated 'out of pocket' expenses. Holvey became suspicious as the club's spending increased dramatically without corresponding deliveries or services. When confronted in early 2025, Morecroft initially denied the accusations and provided further false explanations. He admitted the fraud only after a police report was filed, promising to repay the full amount.

Impact on the Club

The theft has plunged RTB Ebbw Vale into significant financial distress. Club secretary Rachel Edwards stated that finances are under severe pressure, forcing the club to obtain short-term loans for essential items like end-of-season trophies. Essential maintenance has been neglected, leading to pitch deterioration. The club also missed a deadline to secure a 30-year lease on its building, a decision with serious long-term consequences. Joshua Holvey, the treasurer, described the impact on his mental health, expressing guilt and shame for not recognizing the warning signs and feeling responsible for the situation escalating.

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Sentencing and Compensation

At Cardiff Crown Court, Morecroft received a 20-month jail term, suspended for two years. He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work and 50 rehabilitation days. An order was made for him to pay £21,259 in compensation within three years, with a 12-month default prison sentence if he fails to comply. As reported by the BBC, Morecroft had only repaid £1,232 by the time of his sentencing. His defence barrister indicated a £10,000 loan from Morecroft's partner could be paid towards the compensation. The judge noted Morecroft's well-paid employment and questioned why funds had not been set aside for repayment, especially given his previous cocaine expenditure.

“Clubs like RTB are the lifeblood of the local community, bringing people together around something positive. They are run by volunteers giving up their time for no financial reward. Those people trusted you - so much that you were appointed chairman. You betrayed that trust.”

Judge Paul Hobson

The judge highlighted that volunteers dedicate their time without financial reward and that Morecroft, as chairman, betrayed the trust placed in him by the community. Morecroft has a history of three previous offences, including battery and racially or religiously-aggravated harassment dating back to 2010.