VRI Delacombe Cricket Club secretary Reece Falla arrived at the clubrooms on Friday morning to find several valuable items and a quantity of cash taken, valued around $1800.

“They jimmied open the steel-frame door before breaking through glass sliding door,” Mr Falla said.

A 40-inch LG television, $800 of bar stock and $500 in cash was stolen.

Two new iPads bought by the club on Thursday for scoring were also taken.

It is believed the thieves broke into the clubrooms between 8.30pm on Thursday and 9am on Friday.

“We just stocked the fridge from grand final day funds and we saved up and now ... bang it’s all gone,” Mr Falla said.

Club president Duane Isbister said the thieves had targeted a vulnerable club.

“We are a club that has struggled for 10 years. It’s put a sour taste in the mouth because we’ve had a really good start to the season, probably our best in five years,” Mr Isbister said.

“It will take us six months to a year to get back to where we were. It’s pretty hard.

“They’ll flog the TV off for a few dollars, for what?

“We can’t afford insurance. We are a small club with only 60 members.”

Mr Isbister said the club would have to rethink the future of the junior teams.

“We just relaunched the juniors for the first time in three years to ensure our future, but now we will have to re-look at that,” he said.

Police are investigating the theft. It is unknown how many people were involved in the burglary.

Anyone who might have seen suspicious activity in the area is urged to contact Ballarat police on 5336 6000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au