Oxford & Horspath CC, the county's biggest cricket club, are sensationally set to 'de-merge'.
The Home Counties Premier League and Cherwell League outfit, formed in 2001, look likely to become two clubs again because of a rift between former Oxford CC and Horspath CC members.
At a stormy annual meeting, a proposal from the committee that the club should be called Oxford Cricket Club (incorporating Cowley St John CC, Headington CC, Horspath CC and Rover Cowley CC) was heavily defeated.
It is now understood that an extraordinary meeting is in the pipeline, when the de-merger proposal will be put before members.
Chairman Simon Porter (pictured left), who is leading the de-merger initiative, said: "It's ugly and unpleasant, and I am agonising over the way forward.
"I admit we are talking about it, but there has been no official meeting. Whatever gossip there has been about this must have come from the Horspath end, because our guys are sworn to secrecy.
"The changing of the name is not really the issue, rather it is the focus of the discontent. It's sad, but there is a good deal of unhappiness at the club."
One former Horspath member, who did not wish to be named, said: "Our lot would be happy to see the club carry on as Oxford &
Turn to Page 24 By Richard Tilley
Cricket Writer
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