I note you asked for comments/ thoughts in the Swindon Advertiser on October 13 regarding the revelations about Margaret Rivers and Karen Prictor, who have pleaded guilty to stealing money and benefitting from this, also producing fraudulent documents to support their criminal activities.

Personally I am pleased to see justice being served for this awful theft of money from children, parents and clubs at the very important level of grass roots football, worst still it may have been going on undetected for a number of years, as I see the reason they got away with it for so long is because almost everyone involved in this fabulous sport locally is doing so unpaid and completely voluntarily.

For those who don't know this nationwide activity is professionally directed and governed by the F.A. at Wembley; it encourages thousands of children to engage every week in outdoor sport and associated training opportunities throughout the season and indeed summer months as well. It isn't solely about sport, it prides itself on a safeguarding policy for children and their well being, to encourage them to be sporting, fit and competitive but in a fair and honourable way. Adults are expected to set good examples for these young children to follow.

Therefore it is shocking that these individuals acting as secretary and treasurer for our local grass roots league thought it perfectly OK to thieve large amounts of money for their own benefit. I recall seeing a report of Mrs Rivers receiving a trophy recognising her efforts. How hollow that is now.

R Hill Swindon