OAKLEY were one of the original members of the Basingstoke and District League back in 1903, but Oakley Athletic were reformed in the 1990s with a reserve team also being introduced a few years later.

Back at the start of the century, Oakley played on a field just behind the Beech Arms which was very prone to flooding, while today the home venue is Newfound Recreation Ground, where a new pavilion is currently being built and will be ready by the end of the season.

The club is a friendly one and they encourage players from the village to come and join them. The reserve team was put in place so players didn't have to jump straight out of boys football into the top flight of Basingstoke football.

Oakley's sporting style of play is very much in the style of famous former villager and Chelsea star Peter Houseman - a great ambassador for the sport.

Oakley are managed by Malcolm Noble, a well known figure in local football, and last season he guided the side to fifth place in the league.

This season, after a tough start, Oakley were seventh going into last weekend's games.

Their opening win of the season came against AFC Aldermaston with a 2-1 win.

The visitor's first goal came from a John Williams volley after Jon Richardson had nodded down a Joe Hillman cross.

The village side's biggest win of the season so far came with a 3-0 win over Basingstoke Labour Club, with Williams, Bob Buckley and a Paul Harrison penalty all hitting the net, while Jay Hutchings also saved a spot-kick.