A barmaid suffered a terrifying ordeal when she was confronted by a masked raider wielding a hammer.

The 27-year-old woman was clearing up alone in the clubhouse at Eccleshill United Football Club in Kingsway, Wrose, late at night when the robber struck.

The woman, who did not want to be identified, was ordered to empty the till while the raider stood next to her with the weapon.

He then indicated for her to open the safe in the cellar which he rifled, escaping with up to £5,000.

The woman told the Telegraph & Argus: “The safe is quite hard to open and I was struggling. He was stood at the side of me with the hammer in his hands. I was terrified.

“He didn’t shout, he was straight and direct but you knew he meant business.

“I will go back to work at the club but not on my own and I am never locking up again on my own.

“I feel nervous and a bit on edge. It was a great shock but it could have been a lot worse.”

The struggling club has been counting on a grant of £10,000 from Bradford Council – following the sale of Leeds Bradford Airport – which has been earmarked to secure its future. It is in talks with Wrose Community Centre to merge the two organisations.

Club president Keith Firth said £4,000 had been earmarked for CCTV.

He said: “It was an unfortunate incident and it could have been a lot worse. If the CCTV had been introduced, the police may have had a chance of doing something about it. Hopefully in the next four to five weeks the community centre may possibly by sold and then they will be looking at putting some money into the club.”

Airedale and North Bradford CID is investigating the robbery which occurred at about 11.30pm on Sunday. The suspect was about 6ft tall, of medium build and had a local accent. He wore dark clothing.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 6060606.

e-mail: mel.fairhurst@telegraphandargus.co.uk