Two years ago Lyng United Football Club had to face the hard truth, like many grass roots teams, that it had become too difficult to name 11 players for the weekend game.

The club disbanded with the players moving to teams in the surrounding villages to get a game.

But now with the support of a local pub the team is back together and flying high, both in the league and cup.

Lyng currently tops the North East Norfolk League Division 3 with nine wins from 10 games and on January 10 will play Narborough for a place in the semi-final of the Norfolk Primary Cup.

The revitalised team is managed by Steve Abbott, Andrew Stevenson and Darrin Macdonald and sponsored by The Fox in the village.

Mr Abbott said: 'We were involved with the club for a couple of years but it folded when we couldn't get enough players.

'A lot of young lads have come through and they were travelling miles to get a game of football.

'Someone suggested we start up again with the backing of the pub.'

Vikki King and her husband Gavin Hunt took over The Fox in March and when the idea was floated Mr Hunt, a keen footballer himself, was eager to get involved.

Mr Abbott said: 'They have been great and the pub has given us a real focal point.

'We found out Gavin played so he is part of the team.

'The players all go back there after the game and it has become a real community club and pub.'

Mrs King said: 'They are a good group of lads.

'When the draw for the cup was on thew radio we had it on so they could come and listen to it and we get people ringing up the pub to find out how they get on and what the score was.

'People have really got behind it.

'It is really good that they have started out so well.'

While the team are enjoying their current success there are also thoughts for the future.

Mr Abbot said: 'I couldn't have expected it to go so well.

'We are in the quarter-finals of the cup which is further than this team got previously, since it was founded between the wars.

'We would like to get some changing facilities so we can move up the divisions.

'We have some very good players here who could play at a higher level so we would like to go up.'

Is your grass roots sports team overcoming the odds? Write to doug.faulkner@archant.co.uk