Andover Town Youth Football Club has raised £32,632 in just 10 days after being left in ‘huge financial difficulty’ after thousands of pounds were stolen from the registered charity.  

The fraud was discovered in December 2025, when committee members found £30,000 had gone missing from the club’s accounts, leaving them with virtually no money.

But they have survived after hugely generous donations from the public, local companies and even a Premier League footballer.

In a post on Facebook, the club said: ‘Words cannot express our gratitude. Just eight days ago, we never would have believed that even £10,000 to see us through the current season was possible. At that point, we had 95p.

‘We have now fundraised the £30,000 that had been taken from our accounts, this money provides the club with future stability and a guarantee to start the next season.’

One of the club’s players commented: ‘I am so proud of the club for raising all the money back and pushing though it together as a team. Thanks to everyone I can continue playing football. Here's to my first goal of the season eventually incoming’.

The club’s donation page now has over 530 donations, including a £500 payment from Manchester United and former Chelsea footballer Mason Mount.

An amazing donation of £10,000 came from local business Perfect Bore Manufacturing (pictured), based in nearby Andover. In a post on LinkedIn, the company said: ‘We hope that the money can help the club to get back on its feet after this devastating time for them.’

Once the fraud was reported to police, an arrest was made, with a court date set for March 2026.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary told Business & Accountancy Daily: ‘We can confirm that we are investigating an allegation of fraud relating to missing funds at Andover Town Youth Football Club.

‘The incident was reported to us on Tuesday 16 December. As part of our enquiries, a 34-year-old woman from Andover has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation. She has been released on police bail until 30 March while further enquiries are carried out.’

To try and raise more funds, the club have recently announced a charity football game, and duck racing event.

Pictured: The team at Perfect Bore Manufacturing pictured after £10k donation - From Andover Town Youth FC Facebook

JustGiving page, Andover Town Youth FC

‘Significant’ £30k fraud at Andover Town Youth FC | 5 Jan 2026