YOUNG rugby players have been left heartbroken after thieves ransacked their club, stealing a safe containing £10,000, part of which was earmarked for a trip to Spain.

Raiders smashed their way through solid steel doors then dragged a heavy-duty safe out of Oldham St Anne’s Amateur Rugby League clubhouse.

They made off with vital savings to send the Under 16s team on tour this summer as well as CCTV equipment that caught them in the act.

The club has released an appeal for financial support as fundraising for the trip must now start from scratch.

Club manager Mark Smith said: "It feels like you have had your heart ripped out. I was gutted.

"There was money in there for our youth section who were due to travel to Spain. We had been collecting and fundraising for 12 months.

"This affects the entire club. It is a big set back. We will have to start over.

"It is also little things like the till trays which will cost £300 each to replace. It all adds up."

Mr Smith, aged 48, discovered the break-in at the club in Higginshaw Road when he arrived for work on Monday morning (February 12).

He reported the incident to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

A spokesman for GMP said: "Shortly before 7am on Monday, February 12, police were called to reports of a burglary in Higginshaw Road.

"Officers attended and found that offenders had gained entry to a football club and taken money from within, before making off in an unknown direction.

"Enquiries into the full circumstances around this incident are ongoing."

Thieves damaged doors and smashed windows. They also broke into a back room and stole CCTV equipment.

As well as stealing last week's takings, a considerable amount of damage was caused to office equipment.

Club treasurer Stuart Ivell said: “We are going through a refurbishment of the club at the moment and the loss of this finance is going to be detrimental.

“The fact that we have lost a full week’s takings as well as fundraising money for our Under 16s is a kick in the teeth.

“Under no circumstances would we have this amount of money on the premises. If this had happened one day later, that money would not have been there.”

Ticket money to help pay for a sell-out event this Friday night was also among the stolen finances.

British Olympic skier Eddie (The Eagle) Edwards is due to attend a sportsman's dinner at the club joined by comedian Venn Tracey.

The setback comes at a time when the club is paying out to have a new kitchen fitted ahead of Friday's event.

Oldham St Anne’s appealed for help to fund their youth team's visit to Spain.

Around 20 youngsters aged 16 and under are due to travel on the £15,000 trip in June.

The annual 10-day tour gives them an opportunity to play against other teams and gain experience.

Mr Smith, who has been club steward for 14 months, said: "If anyone can help us send these kids away that would be great.

"Please can you help make this happen for our under 16s.

"People have worked hard to fundraise throughout the year for this cause."

He added: "This club is fantastic. Everyone works together. There is a real community feel.

"We have had all the members offering to help since the break-in.

"People have been doing repairs, fitting windows. I can't thank them enough."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 266 of February 12, 2018. Reports can also be made anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.