In 2017, Chania were represented in the Greek Second Division by two clubs, namely AO Chania and somewhat later, Kissamikos, based in Chania's neighboring town Kissamos. Kissamikos had quickly established itself in the Football League, managing to outgrow, and eventually outperform its more prestigious local competitor AO Chania. After the latter was forced to relegation to the Gamma Ethniki by the Hellenic Football Federation for failing to renew its league participation certificate, Kissamikos owner at the time Antonis Rokakis proposed a merger of the two clubs in an attempt to form a new, strong outfit to represent the region, and more specifically the city of Chania (as the region's competitor in the Greek Superleague, Platanias is based in the neighboring town and municipality of Platanias). The merger was eventually approved in 19 August 2017.[1] The club was renamed to AO Chania − Kissamikos, and according to the Greek laws of football club mergers, would retain Kissamikos' original crest and colors.
