Two of the city’s biggest clubs are to merge to form Oxford Hockey Club, writes Jon Murray.

City of Oxford and Rover Oxford took the decision to join forces at separate meetings last week.

And the move has been rubber-stamped ready for the merger to take place for the 2011-2012 season.

It will make the new club one of the largest sports organisations in the county, with nearly 500 members in its adult and junior sections.

Oxford could emerge as strong rivals to Oxford Hawks, which in recent years have been the area’s most successful club, with its top men’s and women’s teams reaching the National League.

For next season, the combined City and Rover senior teams – under their new Oxford Hockey Club title – will continue in the divisions in which they have being playing, in the men’s South League, and women’s South Clubs’ and Trysports 3 Counties leagues.

The new club will field 11 men’s, seven ladies’ and two mixed sides, as well as a whole range of junior teams from aged six and upwards.

The historic decision was passed by overwhelming majorities – of around five to one – by both clubs.

“This showed that the proposal for a sustainable, friendly, sociable and inclusive club was well received by the respective memberships,” said Rover’s Nick Malden.

City chairman John Dykes said: “This is a great chance for two clubs with proud traditions to provide opportunities for both elite and social players of all ages.”

The merger will further strengthen the partnerships with Oxford Brookes, who have agreed to turn part of their facility into a dedicated clubhouse for Saturday matches.

Rover chairman Rich Beer said: “The two clubs complement each other perfectly and the merger provides us with a great opportunity to deliver quality coaching for both seniors and juniors.”

The clubs’ junior boys sides had already merged to play in the strong Mercian Home Counties Colts League, and the success of this paved the way for the full merger.

City of Oxford’s history dates back more than 80 years, while Rover Oxford was formed out of Headington, Morris Motors and Pressed Steel.

Dykes said: “There’s a lot of history to our club, but this is about moving forward. It is just something that makes sense.”

One decision yet to be resolved is what colours the new club will play in.