A JUNIOR football club was forced to cancel all its matches at the weekend after thieves stole equipment worth around £2,000.

150 players, aged between six and sixteen, were devastated to learn that virtually all of the equipment owned by RTB Ebbw Vale Juniors was stolen from a steel container at Hilltop Stadium in Ebbw Vale during the night on Friday.

Chairman of the club, Nathan O’Callaghan said players, coaches and parents are all distraught that the club has been hit for the second time in six months.

“They smashed the padlocks on the container and have stolen bibs, cones, mannequins, slalom poles, dozens of footballs, ball bags and we think a set of goal posts,” said Mr O’Callaghan.

“It is devastating for all the lads who train at the club once a week and have been working so hard,” he added.

Mr O’Callaghan said the club had no choice but to cancel its five home games yesterday.

“We can’t play without equipment,” he said.

“It doesn’t just affect the players here but the teams that were due to play against us on Sunday,” he said.

“It’s unfair and uncalled for,” he added.

He said that a nearby club at Nantyglo has offered the use of its equipment.

Mr O’Callaghan has set up a Facebook group called “Help find equipment that belongs to RTB junior football club” which already has 200 members.

“We are appealing to the community to help us find our equipment,” said Mr O’Callaghan.

“We’ve delivered leaflets and released photo’s of what the equipment looked like so if anyone has any information please contact Gwent Police,” he said.

Gwent Police was unable to comment on the incident last night.