West London Treasurer Sentenced for Embezzling Over £80,000 from Youth Football Club
A West London woman has been sentenced to two years and eleven months in prison after admitting to stealing more than £80,000 from a community football club. Hannah Buckingham, 43, from Feltham, abused her position as treasurer of Esher Football Club to embezzle funds over a three-and-a-half-year period.
Systematic Fraud and False Documentation
Buckingham assumed the role of treasurer in December 2018, responsible for managing the Surrey-based youth team's finances, collecting membership fees, and paying operational bills. She was also tasked with applying for additional funding to support the club's running costs. However, instead of fulfilling these duties, she transferred approximately £86,000, including a Government-backed 'bounce back' loan issued during the pandemic, directly to her personal bank account.
After resigning in July 2022, Buckingham failed to provide a detailed handover and ignored repeated requests for financial information from club officials. She eventually supplied falsified documents that misled her successor about the whereabouts of the club's cash reserves, attempting to conceal her fraudulent activities.
Police Investigation Uncovers Drugs and Cash
Surrey Police arrested Buckingham in July 2023 following a report from Action Fraud. During interviews, she accepted the allegations of fraud and admitted to taking the money for personal use. A subsequent search of her Hounslow home revealed scales, cash, and two bags of cocaine, leading to an additional charge of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Buckingham pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position, making or supplying an article for use in fraud, and the drug offence. She was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on January 23, 2026.
Impact on Community and Young People
Detective Constable Michael Bambrough commented on the case, stating, "Buckingham abused her trusted position to embezzle more than £80,000. This was far from a victimless crime. The money should have been used to benefit a vital community asset and several hundred young people. Sadly, these benefits could not come to fruition."
The embezzled funds were intended to support the football club, which serves as a crucial community resource for youth development and sports participation. The theft directly affected hundreds of young people who rely on the club for athletic and social opportunities.
Thanks to individuals who raised concerns about Buckingham's activities, she has now faced justice and will serve time in prison to reflect on her actions. The case highlights the importance of financial oversight in community organizations and the severe consequences of betraying public trust.
