A COMMUNITY football club which had been preparing for the grand re-opening of its clubhouse after months of work is now appealing for donations to help repair the site following a devastating break-in.

The home of Nantyglo FC, in Duffryn Park, Blaina, was targeted last week, with items stolen and damaged caused.

The club had been set to hold a charity fun day to mark the re-opening of the clubhouse, but the club is now desperately appealing for help to secure the site so the situation does not re-occur.

South Wales Argus:

Club director Dean Michael said he was "sickened" by the incident, while a GoFundMe page set up says: "We have been raising funds to get the building to a suitable standard for our younger teams, adults and the community to use.

South Wales Argus:

Nantyglo FC has been planning to hold a charity fun to unveil the newly-renovated clubhouse

"We were finally there and nearly ready to open to the public when we were broken into last night with valuables taken and the property damaged.

"We haven’t got enough money in the pot to make the building more secure so we are asking for a small donation to put shutters on the window and stop mindless people doing this again.

South Wales Argus:

"Because if this happens again we might not be able to carry on."

The club had received help from Blaenau Gwent council to undertake the initial clubhouse redevelopment.

Items stolen included a drill, bags of paint brushes, rollers and paint, a spotlight, electrical cables and a Dewalt hardware stereo.

Mr Michael added that the police and bowls club next door had been very helpful, with CCTV showing the thieves entered the site at 4.30am and leaving at 5.45am.

Two men and a car were spotted.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: "At approximately 7.15am on Wednesday 10th April 2019, Gwent Police were called to a report of a burglary at Nantyglo AFC in Dyffryn Park, Blaina.

"It is believed to have taken place between 4.15am and 5.30am on Wednesday 10th April when unknown offenders gained entry through a window and a number of power tools were taken.

"Enquiries are ongoing.

"Officers are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting incident 56 of 10/4/2019. Alternatively, you can contact Gwent Police through a direct message on Facebook or Twitter."

To donate, visit https://bit.ly/2VMDvQN