Redruth Albany RFC has announced the closure of its clubhouse due to increasing financial challenges, similar to those affecting pubs and bars across the country. The club said rising costs, changing customer habits, increased utility bills and ongoing pressures on the hospitality sector all played a part.
However, the trustees also said the club had never fully recovered from the fraud it suffered at the hands of Katie Curgenven, 37, of Bellevue, Redruth, and Darren Curgenven, 45, of Higher St Clements Hill, Truro, who stole more than £20,000 from the club between 2019 and 2020.
Katie Curgenven had worked behind the bar at Redruth Albany RFC before she was trusted to become the club's treasurer in November 2019 on a voluntary basis. Almost immediately after assuming the role, she opened a Lloyds bank account and authorised a debit card in her sole name on behalf of the club, something the other committee members were not aware of as their main account was with HSBC.
This only came to light when flood damage saw the clubhouse shut from mid-December 2019 to February 2020. When the repairs were paid for by the insurance company, the figure was £200 higher than the bill, which raised suspicions over the disparity. The club was also alerted that there was just £3 left in the main HSBC account, which was normally £10,000 in credit.
This prompted concerns among the committee, and a meeting was held which outlined that large transactions would require written permission and that other names should be added to the Lloyds account. However, no other names were added, and the committee tried and failed to get access to the account as it was solely in Katie Curgenven's name.
It was discovered that the final amount taken from the club was over £20,000, with a sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court in July 2025 hearing that Darren Curgenven had a drug habit and Katie Curgenven sorted out cash on his behalf. The pair, who had both pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, received suspended sentences from His Honour Judge Simon Carr.
Katie Curgenven was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years. She was also made subject to a period of an electronic curfew from 7pm to 7am. Darren Curgenven was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete a drug rehabilitation course for six months.
In a post on its Facebook page, the Trustees of Redruth Albany RFC said the decision to close the clubhouse had not been taken lightly. They added: "Like many pubs and clubs across the country, we have been facing significant financial challenges caused by rising costs, changing customer habits, increased utility bills, and the ongoing pressures affecting the hospitality sector.
"Unfortunately, despite the hard work and dedication of many volunteers and supporters, we have also been unable to fully recover from the significant theft suffered a few years ago.
"As custodians of the clubhouse, we feel it is no longer possible to give the building the care and attention it deserves. We are unable to carry out the essential repairs, maintenance and improvements needed to preserve and present the clubhouse to the standard that our supporters and community deserve."
The clubhouse is expected to close at the end of October. The club's trustees added: "From November, we are pleased to confirm that our good friends at Redruth Cricket Club have agreed to temporarily host Redruth Albany RFC whist decisions are made regarding the future of the clubhouse.
"Importantly, this is not the end of Redruth Albany RFC. It is simply the beginning of a new chapter in our club's proud history. The values, friendships and spirit that have defined Albany for generations remain as strong as ever, and rugby at the club will continue."
Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CKObHkgJF4T5fRZxiGdYqd
Redruth Albany RFC Closes Clubhouse After Fraud