A FOOTBALL club has been left devastated after cash saved for a children’s Easter party and summer fête was taken in a night-time burglary.

Thousands of pounds left in two safes were stolen in the break-in at Cwmbran Celtic Club on Oak Street on Sunday night.

The Division Two club is to put up a cash reward in an attempt to secure the conviction of the person or people responsible for the burglary.

Social club chairman Andrew Meaney, 52, told the Argus: “It is very distressing.

“We are supposed to be a community-based club and do some fundraising and then a low-life rips the heart out of it.

“It’s despicable. With the licensed trade, it’s very difficult at the moment.

“It has certainly made a big dent in our turnover.”

Gwent Police said two safes containing a “substantial amount of cash” were stolen between 11.15pm and 3.45am.

Mr Meaney said they did not have exact amounts, but stressed that thousands of pounds had been taken.

He said some of the money would have been used to buy equipment and kit for youth and senior teams, as well as the children’s parties.

Some cash had been obtained through fundraising.

The club now faces having to start raising cash all over again.

Entry was forced into the club through a fire door.

A Gwent Police spokesman said: “We’re appealing for information following a burglary that occurred at Cwmbran Celtic Club on Oak Street, Cwmbran.

“The premises was entered some time between 11.15pm on February 15 and 3.45am on February 16.

“Two safes containing a substantial amount of cash were stolen.”

The club can be reached on 01633 774 019. Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 quoting the log reference number 54 16/02/15.

* The Argus reported yesterday how police were also appealing for information after nearly £3,000 was stolen from Blackwood Workingmen’s Club, almost putting it out of business.

The burglary at the club, on Woodbine Road, took place at about 11.40pm on Sunday, December 28. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to call Gwent Police, quoting log number 12 29/12/14.