RAIDERS smashed through five walls, causing thousands of pounds-worth of damage to a football clubhouse, to steal the takings of a fruit machine.

The thieves struck at allpay.park - the home of Westfields FC on Widemarsh Common - between 8pm on Wednesday, February 22 and 11am the next day.

Club chief executive Andy Morris was first on the scene when he went to inspect the pitch ahead of Thursday's training session.

"I'm absolutely gutted," he said."It's not what you want to see. They've done so much damage to a wonderful facility that's run by volunteers and brings enjoyment to so many people - just to get to the fruit machine."

It appears the thieves gained access through an outdoor toilet and then smashed through five interior plasterboard walls until they got to the bar area.

There they destroyed a fruit machine and took the coins contained inside.

Damage was also caused to locked windows, doors and frames that intruders tried to smash through.

Mr Morris says: "It will cost several thousand without a doubt.

"We've got split frames, and broken doors, alarm sensors were removed, the medical cupboard was ripped off the wall and five walls were decimated."

Police want to talk to anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in or around the grounds on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Anyone with information should contact the duty sergeant at Hereford Police Station on 08457 444888.