The Mitcham community has been rallying around its local cricket club - believed to be the oldest in the world - in an effort to save it from financial collapse.
Since last months shock report that Mitcham Cricket Club's current financial situation will force it to shut by Christmas, Merton Council and local MP Siobhain McDonagh have pledged to fight for its survival.
Ms McDonagh has called a meeting with club chairman, Peter White, to explore how public and lottery funding could be unlocked to save the club. The council has also indicated it could take responsibility for maintaining the village green in order to reduce the club's overheads.
Ms McDonagh said: "Mitcham's marked out by its cricket green and I absolutely recognise the clubs importance to the community. I've helped other local sports clubs in the past and I'm more than happy to assist here."
Club members are also attempting to arrange a fundraising game on the green and are waiting to hear if cricketing charity, the Lords Taverners can assist. Stephen Fry, Kevin Keegan and Andrew Flintoff are among the big names to have played in the charity's side.
Mitcham Cricket Club chairman, Peter White, said that the club needs an additional £3,000 a year to fight-off closure.
He added: "It's great to hear that people are coming forward. Without sounding patronising, we need whatever support we can get right now.
"This club has such heritage and is an important community facility providing opportunities for young people. It would be an absolute tragedy if we shut."
Cricket is thought to have been played on the Cricket Green as far back as 1685 with Lord Nelson among the supporters and members of the club.
But since its heyday in the 1970s, it has found it increasingly difficult to find funding, with no official sponsor for at least six years.
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