Footballs stolen from sports club (From Free Press Series)

Footballs stolen from sports club

YOUNGSTERS at an Abergavenny football club have been left downhearted by thieves who stole their footballs.

The Saturday soccer club was set up three years ago by Randy Lewis, a sports assistant at King Henry School.

Now more than 30 children aged between four and 13-years-old regularly take part in his three-hour training sessions at Abergavenny Thursday's Soccer Club in Penypound.

Last week, Mr Lewis purchased 20 new child-size balls for the club, as their old ones were too big and heavy, at a cost of more than £100.

But when the team turned up for training on Saturday morning the balls had gone. Mr Lewis said: "I am absolutely gutted by the theft.

"I blew the balls up last week and put them in a storage shed ready for Saturday's session. But when I arrived the shed had been broken into and the balls were gone."

Goal nets and other equipment, belonging to the Abergavenny Thursday's were also taken. Mr Lewis said: "It's very disheartening when you put all this effort in for the community and then someone comes along and does something like this.

"Whoever stole those balls must have known that they were for little ones because of their size.

"If some poor child didn't have a ball I would give him or her one, but it was not a child who did this."

DS Howard Salmon of Abergavenny police said: "These footballs were purchased by an individual who is prepared to give up his own time to support local youth and give them facilities which they all enjoy, and this has now been spoiled."

Anyone with information should contact Abergavenny police on 01873 852273.