Two of the north-west’s oldest clubs have agreed to a merger

Two historic club’s in Melbourne’s north-west, with more than 200 years of history combined, have joined forces with a merger for 2023-24.

Two of the oldest cricket clubs in the north west will join forces in 2023-24.

Victorian Turf Cricket Association clubs West Coburg and St Andrews Pascoe Vale have merged, bringing together more than 200 years of combined history.

West Coburg was formed in 1903, while St Andrews was established in 1934.

The two clubs are separated by just 6km will come together to form West Coburg St Andrews Redbacks from this season.

The new club’s inaugural AGM was held on Wednesday night with West Coburg stalwart John Appleyard elected president.

Mohamed Feshal in action for West Coburg. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“St Andrews came to us and asked if we’d be in interested in merging with them,” Appleyard said.

“We had a really good look at it because they’ve struggled with juniors over the years and we’ve got a good base and we saw an opportunity to expand that.

“Since COVID (junior) numbers have dropped off and also our girls, we used to have about five and that’s down to two, so we want to increase that again.

“Plus, they have three grounds, two turf and a syntho, which is good because we’d been looking for another turf ground, so we’ll be offering turf to the kids as well.

“It would have been silly not to do it and it helps them out as well, they’re an old club with a lot of history.”

The now singular club will continue to compete in the VTCA as well as the North West Metro Cricket Association.

West Coburg had been competing in Division 1 and St Andrews in Division 2 with the Redbacks to remain in Division 1 and Sunbury promoted from Division 3 to take St Andrews’ place.

West’s Morris Reserve is expected to remain the new club’s main home ground.

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“We’ll probably start off at Morris because it’s got a better wicket, St Andrews for the last 40 years has always come through a little low,” Appleyard said.

“But we’ll swing some games across there, we might do T20 up there, there’s some opportunities.

“We’ll probably play our ones and twos out of Morris and three and fours at Cole and if we can get another turf side in there we’ll play at the ground next to it.”

Appleyard will be supported by vice-presidents Denis Ryan and Dwayne Portelli.