TWO youth football coaches have hailed the amazing generosity shown to their team who were robbed of hundreds of pounds.

Brothers Ryan and Lewis McGregor were left devastated after crooks smashed their car and stole money raised for Cumnock Juniors 2011s.

The pair, 19, were out celebrating at an awards presentation with families and the young players at Cumnock Social Club in December to top off a successful year.

The coaches decided to put the £300, left over trophies and other items in their car before going back to enjoy the celebrations.

But they were shocked to find that their car window had been shattered and all the £300 of cash stolen.

Ryan told the Chronicle how the theft felt like a ‘kick in the teeth’ as they are well known faces in the community.

He said: “It was our presentation night all the kids celebrate the end of the year, each player gets a trophy.

“We enjoyed a few drinks and we left the car outside the Cumnock social club all night. We’ve left the money, footballs and trophies in the car. We thought it would be alright as we know the area.

“When we came back to collect it on Sunday morning, everything was gone. There was money we had raised as a team, gifts from parents.

“It was going towards team days out, new strips all the money for the club fund.

“It was a shock, me and my brother are well known in Cumnock everyone knows us to an extent for that to happen was devastating.”

After the incident parents rallied round the team to desperately help out the club who had lost out on money that was to go towards team trips.

A Fundraising page was set up which has raised £395, with donations coming from other youth clubs across Ayrshire.

It read: “These two boys not only run this team but do so much for the community as a whole. Let’s try and help them get back some of what was taken, they are devastated by what has happened.”

The coaches who aspire to be professional one day, were also overwhelmed by support shown by Cumnock Juniors 2007s who raised £100 after collecting money outside Townhead Park last week.

A delighted Ryan, added: “The generosity has been fantastic. We’ve raised a lot more back from it.

“We’ve just spoiled the boys and took them on a team day out.”

Police were made aware of the incident but nobody has yet been traced. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.