Fathers in Rose Hill want to create a football club on the estate which will rival the successful Oxford Blackbirds, from Blackbird Leys.

Brian Lovatt and Kevin Vaughan aim to revive their estate's fine footballing history by re-forming Rose Hill Football Club in time for next season.

They hope to have up to 20 players to form a squad for an under-16 team to start with, then form a senior team and sides for younger children.

They will play at the football pitches behind Rose Hill Primary School and will wear the old Rose Hill club's kit of yellow shirts, blue shorts and blue socks.

Mr Lovatt, 30, from Asquith Road, said: "It will be good to get Rose Hill back on the map when it comes to football.

"We want it to be the equivalent of the Oxford Blackbirds. Hopefully, we will get people from other estates coming who will see this is a good area with a good football team."

Mr Lovatt's stepson Dan Johnsoncorr, 15, is hoping to play for the under-16s team. He said: "It would be quality if we could get a team together - it's pathetic that we haven't had a team here for so long.

"It would mean a lot more for me to score a goal for Rose Hill than Blackbird Leys, because this is where I'm from."

Rose Hill had a well-established football club dating back to at least the 1950s, but in recent years it ceased to exist after interest waned.

Mr Lovatt, who will manage the under-16s, said: "When we were kids, there were probably about 12 or 13 teams up there, but over the years it has just died out.

"It's very exciting. I have never managed my own team before and to get a team back on Rose Hill will be great."

Mr Lovatt has held several meetings with Rose Hill Youth Club in order to drum up interest in the team and discuss fundraising ideas, and has begun talks with the Oxford Invitation League about entering a team into its Sunday league.

He estimated it will cost £2,000 for kits and match fees for a season, and is seeking sponsors and other parents to become involved in running the new club.

He has won the backing of Rose Hill and Iffley city councillor Ed Turner and youth workers.

Adam Frenchcorr, a sports development youth worker, said: "The young people should have their own team and their own identity within the area.

"The team is going to give them a direction and a focus. It's a goal to work towards."

Terry Kirkby, 66, from Lenthall Road, played for Rose Hill Football Club's youth and senior teams in the 1950s and 60s.

He said: "I think it's a fantastic idea. I didn't understand why, with such a catchment area of players, there hasn't been a team or two.

"For me, the biggest thing was we were a gelled community. We knew people as a result of the football club and formed friendships as a result of it."

If you are interested in sponsoring or getting involved in Rose Hill Football Club, call Mr Lovatt on 07889 103658