Oxfordshire's oldest Sunday football league is facing it’s “make or break year” due to dwindling clubs and players.

The Marston’s Oxford Sunday Football League has seen the number of clubs fall from more than 50 - competing in six divisions in 2003 - to just 13 this year.

Organisers have warned the league, which was set up in 1966, could fold this year if any more clubs depart.

They are now offering free football kits in a bid to entice more teams to take part next season.

League chairman Tony Saunders said: “We can’t go on losing this amount of teams. The clubs want to play football and offering a handful of games a year just isn’t good enough. They don’t want three weeks between matches.

“We have situation where if the league is to diminish any further then the rest of the clubs will say we’ll go and find some other league to play in. That is the reality. This year could be make or break time.

“If we don’t get any new clubs and two or three drop out at the end of the season and we end with less than 10 clubs then it is likely the league will have to stop in 2009, which will be a real shame.”

The club’s finances are buoyed by sponsorship from brewers Mar-ston’s so funds are being spent on offering free football kits to new teams and an advertising campaign, which has attracted interest from seven potential new clubs.

The league is also contacting local under 18 teams appealing for players and new clubs.

Saunders believes clubs have left to join perceived easy leagues and there are fewer clubs because less people want to play due to work and family commitments.

League spokesman Geoff Bower said: “Around ten years ago we had 84 teams and told by the FA that was the maximum we were allowed.

“But we are not going to give up without a fight. We won’t sit around and watch it go under.

“But it is proving very difficult to encourage local football in this day and age.”

The league has attracted former Oxford United stars Billy Beechers and Joey Beauchamp in recent years and even ex-Aston Villa and Leicester City midfielder Garry Parker.

Janet Rose, secretary of table-toppers Barton United, said: “It would be a real shame but there are two or three clubs talking about leaving and if that happens I can’t see the league continuing.”

Ryan Davies, secretary of Oxford Yellows, said: “We are applying for another league just in case this one folds. It would be a shame if it does.

“We want it to carry on, but we can’t play enough games and the league isn’t competitive without more clubs.”

Interested clubs should contact Tony Saunders on (01869) 350705 or email mosflchairman@aol.com for more information.