A FORMER football club accountant and another man have been jailed from stealing more than £70,000 from Chorley FC in a series of thefts and burglaries.

Philip Haslam, 26, of Weldbank Lane, had pleaded guilty to three charges of theft and two of burglary.

Haslam, who was the club’s accountant at the time of the thefts, was jailed for 21 months while Daniels was handed a two-year prison sentence.

The thefts involved taking £6,000 belonging to Chorley Football Club’s black and white draw between dates in March and September 2011.

Another theft charge concerned nearly £41,000 belonging to Chorley Football Club and £22,000 belonging to Chorley Sporting Club.

The burglaries involved Haslam entering Chorley FC’s social club in September 2011 and on one occasion, stealing £1,000 and on the other, £300 in cash.

Ian Daniels, 25 admitted three counts of counselling or procuring the theft of 
money totalling £69,156.66 from Chorley FC and Chorley Sporting Club at Preston Crown Court on the day he was due to stand trial.

He also admitted counselling or procuring two burglaries of the Chorley FC offices acquiring criminal property totalling £50,321 and converting criminal property to the value of £14,000.

Haslam was arrested in September 2011 after club officials noticed financial irregularities and called police.

Daniels was arrested and charged later last year.

Club chairman Ken Wright welcomed the sentences saying they represented ‘closure’ after a difficult period at the club.

He said: “They deserved custodial sentences and I’m glad they got locked up.

“A lot of people who are involved with the club, officials and supporters have been waiting for the outcome of this trial, because the club means a lot to these people.

“It was a real financial blow to Chorley FC but fans and the business community rallied round to support us in the aftermath.

“Now this is out of the way and justice has been served we can look forward with positivity.”