Feltham Football Club has vowed a suspected arson attack on their former clubhouse will not stop them from returning to their old stomping ground.

Just five weeks before the club was due to go back to their roots, the clubhouse at Feltham Arenas in Shakespeare Avenue, Feltham, has burned down.

Six fire engines and about 30 firefighters were called to the clubhouse at 9pm on Tuesday.

The blaze took an hour-and-a-half to get under control and destroyed the entire single storey building.

Firefighters had to work to cool down 14 cylinders containing oxygen and propane to stop them from overheating and exploding due to the intense heat.

Bryan Barry, chairman of Feltham FC, said: "We have been away for three seasons and we are hoping to move back in five weeks.

"We are just waiting for the paperwork to come through from the council.

"It was probably just destructive yobs who had nothing better to do and have no respect for the community."

Feltham FC rely on a number of volunteers to help them run their 26 youth and two adult teams.

They had been ground sharing with Hampton and Richmond Borough FC for the last three years having previously played at Feltham Arenas since the 60s.

Mr Barry said: "One thing is for sure, we won't allow this to slow down our return.

"We have been trying to keep the club alive and as soon as we get the go ahead we shall be returning.

"Vandalism is getting out of hand. We know we need to have a lot of security measures.

"I feel really sorry for the good kids in the area who come out to play and learn the disciplines of football."

Police are currently investigating the cause of the blaze and anyone with information should contact Hounslow police on 020 8247 6102.