Junior Football League Treasurer Jailed After £148k Statement Lie, Manchester 2026

Key Points

• Roy Robinson, 69, sentenced to 18 months at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, after stealing £119,650.14 from the Timperley and District Junior Football League.
• The funds were stolen over six years and utilized to finance gambling activities, as revealed by the evidence presented during the trial.
• Robinson fabricated bank statements, one of which showed that the league had £148,000 in its account while there was only £3.26.
• A phony email account of the league’s former auditor, who had resigned, was established.
• Over 500 transactions were traced, most of which remained unexplained, and there were transfers to online gambling sites.
• The “rainy day” surplus of the league, which was formed from the member clubs’ funds, ended up being depleted and negatively affected coaching programs and equipment.
• Robinson has paid back £4,500 and told the police he used the money to gamble.
• Robinson’s defense team stated that he suffers from a gambling problem, does not gamble anymore since June 2024 and has sought therapy and help from charities.
• The judge considered the crime as an especially serious case of fraud, notwithstanding the mental health aspect.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) October 10, 2026 — A former treasurer who took almost £120,000 from a Greater Manchester junior football league to fund gambling has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. Roy Robinson, 69, transferred £119,650.14 from the Timperley and District Junior Football League’s bank account into accounts under his control across six years, Manchester Crown Court heard.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Robinson had served the league as treasurer for 17 years before the fraud was uncovered. Prosecutors said he had previously carried out the role without issue, but began taking money from an account that held a surplus of more than £100,000, described in court as a “rainy day fund” contributed to by member clubs.

How Was the Missing Money Discovered?

The fraud came to light after illness left Robinson unable to manage the league’s finances. The league’s secretary then accessed the genuine bank statements and discovered the true position of the account.

According to the prosecution, Robinson had attempted to conceal the losses by producing fabricated bank statements. One false statement claimed that the league’s account held £148,000, while the actual balance was said to be just £3.26.

The court was told that investigators identified more than 500 transactions over the period. Many were unexplained, and some involved transfers to gambling websites.

What Did Roy Robinson Do to Avoid Detection?

Robinson did not only alter financial records. The court heard that he created a fake email account impersonating the league’s former auditor, who had resigned, in order to give the impression that the league’s accounts were being properly checked.

Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth described that element of the case as “particularly serious”. The Manchester Evening News reported that the judge considered the potential harm to the former auditor’s professional reputation and the risk that she could have faced an investigation because of Robinson’s actions.

Robinson pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position.

What Happened to the League’s Money?

The money taken from the league had been intended to provide a financial reserve for member clubs. Its loss left the organisation unable to fund activities that supported young players, including coaching courses and equipment purchases.

In a statement, league officials said they had known Robinson for many years and regarded him as a friend. They said they now felt “betrayed” by what he had done.

The case has highlighted the pressure placed on volunteer-run grassroots sports organisations, which often depend on trusted officials to manage relatively small but important funds raised through club memberships and local activity.

What Did the Court Hear About His Gambling?

Robinson’s defence barrister, John Bottomley, told the court that his client had a “severe gambling disorder”. He said Robinson began gambling at the age of 15 and was betting daily by 25, initially experiencing significant wins that led him to keep “chasing that high”.

Mr Bottomley said that, by the time of the offences, Robinson had exhausted legitimate sources of funding. There was no evidence, the court heard, that he had used the money to live extravagantly.

During police questioning, Robinson admitted the offending and said he had used the funds to support his gambling habit.

What Has Happened Since the Fraud Was Exposed?

The court heard that Robinson has repaid £4,500 and has expressed a willingness to repay the remaining amount.

His defence said he had not gambled since June 2024 and had sought psychotherapy and assistance from a charity. Mr Bottomley added that Robinson had completed rehabilitation work recommended by the probation service.

The court was told that Robinson felt “embarrassed” and “ashamed” about his actions. His marriage of 47 years has ended, and he now lives separately from his wife. He had previously volunteered as an ambulance driver and was described by his children as an “incredible father”.

Why Was Robinson Sent to Prison?

Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth accepted that Robinson’s gambling addiction was a mental-health disorder with a “clear and functional relationship” to his criminal behaviour. However, she said that did not remove his understanding that his actions were wrong.

“I do not take pleasure in sending you to prison today,” the judge said, before describing the case as a “particularly serious example” of fraud.

She concluded that the seriousness of the offending required a custodial sentence, and Robinson received 18 months in prison.

Background of the Development

The Timperley and District Junior Football League is a grassroots football organisation serving young players and member clubs in the Timperley area of Greater Manchester. Like many junior leagues, it relied on a collective surplus built up from member clubs to provide financial stability and support football-related costs.

Robinson’s long service as treasurer meant he held a position of considerable trust. The prosecution case centred on the abuse of that position: money held for the benefit of local junior football was allegedly moved into accounts controlled by him, while false records and impersonation were used to keep the true financial position hidden.

The case also reflects a wider issue affecting volunteer-led sports bodies. Where one official controls banking, records and communication with external parties, weak financial checks can make it harder to identify problems quickly. In this case, the fraud was only exposed when Robinson’s illness prevented him from continuing to manage the accounts and another league official accessed the genuine statements.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Junior Football Leagues

For junior football leagues, clubs, parents and volunteers, this case is likely to increase attention on financial safeguards. Leagues may respond by ensuring that more than one trusted official has access to bank statements, separating responsibility for payments, record-keeping and account checks, and requiring regular independent review of accounts.

For member clubs and families, the immediate effect is practical: reduced reserves can limit spending on coaching, equipment and development opportunities. The case may also encourage clubs to ask clearer questions about how league funds are held, audited and reported.

For volunteers, the development may lead to more formal financial procedures. That could mean additional administrative work, but it may also help protect honest officials by creating a clear record of decisions, payments and account balances. The court’s emphasis on the harm caused by impersonating an auditor may further encourage leagues to verify the identity and independence of anyone reviewing their finances.