THE future of a village cricket club is hanging in the balance after its pavilion was destroyed by a suspected arson attack.

Police are investigating yesterday morning’s blaze at Eynsham Cricket Club in Cassington Road, which they believe was started deliberately.

It left villagers, who spent five years fundraising thousands of pounds for the pavilion, and then months as a community effort to build it, unsure of the site’s future.

Club chairman Sue Cook said: “We are just devastated. We’re still reeling from the shock of it all.

“It took the whole village years to save up the money to build the pavilion. We had cake stalls, sponsored runs, all kinds of events.

“Everyone pitched in to get it built and painted.

“Now all our time and efforts have gone up in smoke.

“Literally.”

Fire crews were called at 3.45am and worked to control the flames, but were unable to save the building, which has been totally destroyed.

Mrs Cook said: “This wasn’t just about cricket, it was a focal point for the whole village, a real asset.

“We had a beer festival there each summer. It was something for everyone.”

The club has more than 60 members, running three adult sides and two youth teams for the under-13s and under-15s.

The building, completed in 2006, contained a kitchen, bar, seating area, changing rooms and showers.

Committee members were last night meeting to discuss the future of the club.

Mrs Cook said: “We hope we’ll be able to continue for the season.

“Everyone is just reeling, but once that subsides, we’ll talk about how to move forwards and what we can do.

“There has been a cricket club in Eynsham for a long time and we are not going to let that end just because some selfish people have done this.”

Pete Jones, landlord at the nearby Queen’s Head pub, said: “It’s just all so disappointing.

“We had people getting donations of money for the club for their anniversaries instead of presents.

“It was a real community project. We just hope the club can survive.

“This will be make or break for this cricket club.”

Player Adam Hingley added: “It’s mindless. The season starts at the end of April, so we don’t know how we’re going to be ready by then.”

Investigating officer Det Sgt Dick White said: “This club is an important part of the community. The perpetrators have caused thousands of pounds of damage and have also put the lives of firefighters at risk.”

Police are investigating whether petrol or lighter fluid may have been involved in the blaze. No one has been arrested.

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.