A former football club chairman, Karl Morecroft, has been handed a suspended 20-month prison sentence after he was convicted of stealing money from RTB Ebbw Vale FC to fund his cocaine lifestyle.

The 45-year-old stole £22,491 from club accounts and faked HMRC documents to sustain his drug habit, while lying to club members at RTB Ebbw Vale as he took home a series of payments over a 15-month period.

Mr Morecroft, who coached the under-eights and under-nines before becoming chairman in 2023, reportedly disguised the money as payments for “football equipment, council liabilities, Companies House fees, charity registration costs and business penalties”.

Located in Blaenau Gwent, RTB Ebbw Vale supported 330 children and had to rely on money from fundraisers, parents and volunteers to keep the club afloat after Mr Morecroft’s fraudulent activities.

During a hearing at the Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, the defendant was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment but was immediately suspended for a period of two years.

Mr Morecroft was also committed to 180 hours of unpaid work and 50 rehabilitation days. Additionally, he must refund £21,259 within three years, and a default order of 12 months in prison was imposed if he failed to do so.

In a victim’s impact statement, the club’s treasurer, Joshua Holvey, who later uncovered Mr Morecroft’s scam, said the event has affected his mental health.

“I never questioned his intentions. I was naive and assumed someone in his position would act with integrity, so I would send money whenever I was asked. Looking back, I feel a deep sense of guilt and shame for not recognising the warning signs.

“Thousands of pounds have been lost, leaving the club struggling to recover and its future uncertain. I have lost confidence in my own judgement and feel responsible for allowing the situation to escalate. I joined the club to contribute positively, but instead I feel I have enabled wrongdoing,” stated Mr Holvey.

Rachel Edwards, the club’s secretary, disclosed that the chairman’s rogue action forced the club to secure short-term borrowing “simply to fund end-of-season trophies”.

“We were unable to carry out essential maintenance, and there was deterioration of our pitches,” stated Ms Edwards. “We missed a deadline to enter a 30-year lease of the building, which will have a serious long-term effect.”