Oxford City Football Club, the oldest club in Oxfordshire, has entered a new era following the completed acquisition of the team by Spark Strategic Partners.
The Oxford City Football Club, founded in 1882, officially confirmed the change in ownership on 16 April 2026. The investment group has acquired 100% ownership of the club, a transition that has received full approval from the National League and the Football Association.
The new leadership team is headed by Carl Dunton, an Oxford graduate who cited the club’s deep community ties and the Velocity Football academy as primary reasons for the investment. Joining Mr. Dunton in the core management team are Louise Merritt and Allan Steele. Additionally, long-serving club figure Justin Merritt has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer.
The impact of this partnership has already been felt on the pitch. Since January 2026, Spark Strategic Partners has provided financial support to the club, which allowed for player signings that helped strengthen the squad during the second half of the 2025-26 season. The club currently competes in the National League North, which is the sixth tier of English football, and hosts its home matches at the MGroup Stadium on Marsh Lane.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
