Thieves have broken into the clubhouse at Deal Town Football Club and stolen money from charity boxes destined for Demelza Hospice Care and the British Heart Foundation.

The break-in happened between 10pm on Thursday night and 6.30pm on Friday morning.

The football club gamesman arrived in the morning to prepare for a memorial match in memory of Deal resident, Desmond Lee Jenkins, who died in June this year.

The door and lock was damaged, the security lighting was dismantled and broken and the bar was “ransacked.”

Vice chairman of the club, Arron Skirrow explained around £150 of spirits and soft drinks were taken as well as £20 from the till.

He said: “Stealing the charity boxes has upset people down the football club the most. To take charity boxes is horrific, we’ve done a lot of fundraising for Demelza. It’s a certain level of scum bag who can go in there and steal from sick kids.”

He explained that the charity boxes were full and added that the club will replace the money and donate it to the charities.

As well as stealing drinks, it is believed there is also about £500 worth of damage to the clubhouse.

The pool table was broken into, despite being free to play and the coffee machine was vandalised which will all have to be replaced.

The memorial match went ahead on Friday with all proceeds going to a memorial bench dedicated to Mr Jenkins.

The football club contacted police who took forensic evidence on Friday.

Deal Town Football Club is now appealing for any witnesses who may have information which could help police in their investigations.

Please contact the Mercury on 01304 365526.