Junior football treasurer jailed after stealing almost £120,000 from league

A junior football league has lost money intended to support young players after its treasurer stole almost £120,000 to fund gambling.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Roy Robinson, 69, took £119,650.14 from Timperley and District Junior Football League between February 2018 and April 2024.

He concealed the theft using falsified bank statements. One showed a balance of £148,000 when just £3.26 remained.

The fraud emerged when illness prevented Robinson from managing the finances and the league secretary accessed the genuine records.

Young footballers lose out

The league said the loss prevented it from funding coaching courses and equipment. Officials who had regarded Robinson as a friend described feeling betrayed.

Robinson admitted fraud by abuse of position and received an 18-month prison sentence at Minshull Street Crown Court.

The court heard evidence of a severe gambling disorder and rehabilitation. The judge accepted the connection between his addiction and offending, but concluded that the seriousness of the crime required imprisonment.

Source: Manchester Evening News, reporting by Andrew Bardsley.