This picture from 1970, shows the Aylesford Aces, one of the county’s first sides.

The team, which entered the Coventry and District League in 1968, was the first in the county and is now one of the oldest in the country. It was founded by former Aylesford School pupils who had been given a taste of the American sport at school, but founder member John Mumford recalls it being a far cry from legendary transatlantic operations such as the Harlem Globetrotters.

He said: “The team entered the league with very little money, very little kit and very little idea of organised team basketball, but with a lot of heart and enthusiasm and a group of committed players.”

In the early days the players wore their old school kit of black vests with red, yellow and blue bands, a legacy of its origins. The school’s performance on the rugby pitch had not been very good, so a deal was struck. If the boys made an effort at the traditional game, PE teacher Terry Bott would teach them the fast-moving American sport.

When they left a group of ex-pupils decided they would carry on. With few other clubs, members had to continue using the school basketball court. Travel arrangements were often cramped.

Mr Mumford said: “My memories are of cycling to school with the ball on the back of my bike because we only had one. There was constant difficulty finding a court and sometimes we ended up with about six of us in one car.”

They persevered. In 1973 the club won the Warwickshire League, went on tour to twin towns in France, Germany and Austria and hosted their own international tournament in 1982. Teams have won more than 20 trophies over the years and at one point even gained sponsorship, becoming the Potterton Hawks in the 1980s and playing in the West Midlands Premier League.

Almost 40 years on, they now play as the Aylesford Hawks. George Coope (pictured) is still playing as club captain. Mr Mumford is now club chairman and coach, while his mother is club president, making tea and coffee and dealing with phone calls.

The club now plays in the Warwickshire Premier League and has two junior teams. It received the England Basketball three star accreditation and the Sports England Clubmark in 2006, and Mr Mumford was nominated for a lifetime achievement award by Greater Warwickshire Sport.

He added: “It was a fast, exciting game and still is. Once you start playing something and you enjoy it you keep going.”