The club was formed in 1996 from the merger of Melville AFC (founded 1972) and Waikato United (founded 1988).[1] The team play at Gower Park, which was previously home to Melville United, and before that Melville AFC.[citation needed] Waikato United had itself been formed as the result of a merger between several local clubs, most notably former Chatham Cup winners Hamilton Technical Old Boys.[2][3]