SIX years ago, Forest Hill FC played their last game in the Upper Thames Valley League.

The team had to disband about a year after the clubhouse in the village outside Oxford was destroyed in an arson attack.

But now, following a community fundraising drive, the team has reformed and will play again this season.

Club secretary Lisa Wiggins, 35, of Badgers Close, Forest Hill, near Wheatley, has relaunched the team with her partner Matt Wigley, 24, who is player-manager. The mum-of-one said the team, which plays at the village recreation ground, has been supported by the parish council, which gave £1,500 to pay for new goals, nets, balls, bibs and a line-marking machine, and the White Horse pub has sponsored the kit.

Ms Wiggins, an Oxford University media coordinator, added: “Last year, Matt decided to resurrect the old team, which is a long and painstaking task, but we are getting there.

“As the year went on, the numbers grew and we now have enough players to join the league (Division 3A of the UTV League).

“We are starting small and our first aim is to get a portable building on the recreation ground which could be used for changing facilities – we currently use the village hall which is a walk over the fields.”

Ms Wiggins added that the team was now asking local businesses to help pay for the cost of a pavilion.

Mr Wigley, who works as a plumber, added: “I think we have got a reasonable team together and now we are looking forward to the new season. I used to play for Didcot Boys and quite a few of the lads have played for other teams. I play left wing, centre midfield or up front – wherever I am needed on the pitch.

“We have got 20 players signed on and this will be good for the younger players in the area because they will have a team to go to when they reach the age of 16.

“It would be great to get a new pavilion in the same place where the other building burned down.”

Last week, the new Forest Hill FC side played a friendly against Wheatley pub team King and Queen.

The Wheatley side won 5-1 but Ms Wiggins said: “The players are not too disappointed because King and Queen are in the league above us.

The team also raised £360 by charging each player £20 for membership and the total covered the league fees.

It is understood that the team Forest Hill FC was first formed about 100 years ago.