A CHILDREN'S football club has appealed to businesses and neighbours to help it secure its future on an Oxford estate.

Managers at Oxford Blackbirds have started organising a fundraising event which they hope will finance its league games for the next two seasons.

Officials at the Blackbird Leys- based football club said they hope to raise up to £5,000 from a glitzy ball and auction at the Kassam Stadium on Friday, April 18.

If the event is a success it will pay for enough pitch fees and equipment to keep the football club running until 2010, said chairman Nigel Medlock.

Mr Medlock said: "The idea of the ball is to make sure the club has got a financial future over the next two years.

"It's just an idea that was bandied about a few months ago.

"We thought it was an excellent way to get the community involved in the football club.

"We want to raise as much as possible - £3,000 or £4,000 - maybe £5,000 if we can get it."

Oxford Blackbirds were formed in 1963 and the club is made up of 11 sides which play in the Oxford Mail Boys League.

Mr Medlock said the club had about £1,500 in the bank that would be used to pay pitch fees for home games in Cuddesdon Way, which cost about £150 for each match.

Weekly £2 subs from players go towards training costs and trophies at the end of the season and not towards pitch fees, he explained.

He said: "It's very important that we keep the club going on the estate. We are keeping 250 kids off the street, and trying to keep them out of trouble.

"We are a massively multi-cultural football club. We have Africans, Kosovans, Polish and Moroccans - our players come from all over the world.

"If we didn't keep going, there would be 250 kids who would not have football."

Mr Medlock said the club was primarily looking for a main sponsor to pay a £1,200 deposit to secure a hall at the stadium for the ball.

Organisers hope to sell at least 150 tickets for the event at £39.50 each.

Guests will be entertained by a cabaret and invited to bid for lots including signed Arsenal and Chelsea shirts and weekends at Butlins and CenterParcs at an auction on the night.

Kevin Foley, coach of the Blackbirds' under 11s team, said the club relied on takings from a tuck shop for pitch fees.

He said: "Having 250 children off the streets on a Saturday and Sunday is massive for Blackbird Leys.

"It teaches the children a bit of discipline and respect as well.

"Please support Oxford Blackbirds. We need support because we can't run the club purely from running a tuck shop."

Anyone who can sponsor the ball, provide auction lots or who would be interested in a ticket, can call Mr Medlock on 07855 284155.