Criminals have raided Deal Town Football Club, leaving a "trail of destruction" and heartbroken directors and volunteers to pick up the pieces.

The front door was wrenched open over night and cash slots have been forced from a pool table, jukebox and fruit machine.

The burglary was discovered at 8.30am.

Club chairman Robert Marriott said he is heartbroken.

"Everybody here is a volunteer. We put endless hours in to make the football club what it is to try and put us on a sound ground financially," he said.

Volunteer Dave Dadd arrived at the Charles Ground this morning and saw the door had been kicked in.

He said: "I just walked in to the ground, had one look at the door and then called another volunteer up to come and witness it with me."

Our reporter arrived before the police and saw the damage first hand.

Officers and forensic experts have since attended.

There were attempts to access the kitchen by stripping UPVC panels from the outside, but the thieves were met with concrete breeze blocks.

Instead a wrench was used to gain entry and the safe was forced open and cleared.

Units in the kitchen - installed by volunteer tradesmen from the community - have been ripped off and food has been strewn over the floor.

The blow is even bigger for the club which plays in the Southern Counties east League. It is the third burglary in recent years, but the first in the new clubhouse, which officially opened last year.

In October 2011 a part-finished clubhouse was torched. Nobody has ever been prosecuted.

Treasurer Danielle Johnson today's news reduced her to tears. "This isn't just kids.

"When I came in I thought it was strange the alarm hadn't gone off. They have cut through the wires and taken the alarm unit off the wall."

Kent Police spokesman Jon Green said: "We were called on Thursday morning (24 Nov) about a reported break-in at Deal Town Football Club that occurred at some time between 11pm on Wednesday, November 23 and and 8am on Thursday, November 24.

"Cabinets have reportedly been smashed and a pool table has been damaged and some items have been stolen but the full extent of damage and thefts is not yet known.

"Officers are due to contact the club later to gather further evidence.

I"n the meantime any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police on 101 quoting crime reference ZY/42312/16. Alternatively, if you have information but would prefer to remain anonymous please call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."