Last month the clubs’ respective boards voted in favour of an in-principal merger agreement.

If ratified by the members, the agreement will see the formation of the Natimuk United Football Netball Club, which will compete in the Horsham District Football League competition.

Seventy-five per cent of members from both clubs must vote in favour of the merger for it to succeed.

Horsham RSL Diggers president Peter Miller said the result would be a decisive moment in the club’s history.

“If it doesn’t get up then we will go into recess for a year,” he said.

Mr Miller is confident his club will have the numbers.

“More than 100 members have returned their votes already,” he said.

“I think we’ll get more than 90 per cent in favour.”

Mr Miller said officials from both clubs met on Monday night.

“We discussed a number of possible issues that might come up – it was very constructive,” he said.

“We’re happy with the progress we’ve made.”

Mr Miller believes club members will be happy with negotiations. 

“I think they’ll be happy the club will retain its identity,” he said.

Mr Miller encouraged members who had not voted to attend the meeting, at the Diggers clubrooms at 7pm.

“We want as many people as possible to have their say,” he said.

“It’s their club and I want them to help decide its future.”

Natimuk chairman Andrew Carine encouraged members from his club who had not voted to attend a meeting at the Natimuk pavilion at 7pm.

“I’m hoping for a good turn-out,” he said.

“We might even get members who have voted come along because of the historical nature of the occasion.”

Mr Carine said the clubs were continuing to work hard towards amalgamation.

“We’re now starting to get a more accurate picture as to which players are coming across,” he said.

“That number is growing, which is good.

“We’re also happy with the support from the United board. 

“It looks like more of its board members are looking to get involved with the running of the joint club, which we’re also very happy with.”