Members of a 156-year-old cricket club targeted in an arson attack one year ago have overcome one of the toughest seasons in its history to raise more than £40,000 towards a new pavilion.

Players at Hampton Hill Cricket Club (HHCC), in Bushy Park, were left devastated after fire ripped through their clubhouse in the early hours of October 9, 2010, destroying irreplaceable memorabilia.

But they were determined not to let it be the end of the historic club and launched a hugely successful “buy-a-brick” campaign to help them get back on their feet.

One year on, and HHCC is hoping to have enough money to start building a new clubhouse within months.

Dave Mackinney, chairman and treasurer of HHCC, said: “We’ve been astounded by the support we’ve had.

“Of the £40,000, 50 per cent has been from non-members of the club. We’ve had fundraising things going on such as charity Christmas cards, but there are a lot of people from the local community who’ve said they would like to donate.

“We’ve always said we are a community club and everybody is welcome, but this kind of support is tremendous.”

The blaze destroyed memorabilia including trophies, old scoreboards and pictures of past cricket teams dating back to the 1920s.

It would have been enough to finish many other clubs, but the 1st and 2nd XI squads played on and still managed to end up eleventh and sixth in their respective leagues.

HHCC gained planning permission for temporary buildings an erected them in April this year. It hastily installed benches and showers, along with kitchen units in the tearoom, in time for the first game of the season on May 7, just hours after connecting the electricity supply.

Mr Mackinney said: “We thought we would struggle but we did remarkably well to get the Portakabins in.

“Everyone has just mucked in and got on with it with the blitz spirit to ensure we had the season.”

Sport England and the England and Wales Cricket Board have had input into the design of a permanent new pavilion and the club submitted a planning application earlier this month.

HHCC has held fundraisers for its Phoenix fund and the Rising Sun pub, in Hampton Hill, has hosted its social events. It will give the money it raises from its quiz nights this year to the club. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/hhcc