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Romulus F.C.
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Romulus Football Club is a football club based in Sutton Coldfield, England and plays at the Dominos Arena. The club's first team plays in the Midland League Premier Division. The club was formed in 1979 by club president Roger Evans, initially the team played Sunday league football.
Key Information
History
[edit]Romulus Football Club was formed in 1979 by the current club President Roger Evans and Ken Powell. Initially the team played Sunday league football. After a number of successful years they stepped up to senior football in 1999, entering the Midland Football Combination. In 2003–04 they won this league and were promoted to the Midland Football Alliance. In 2006–07 they finished second in the Alliance and were promoted to the Southern League Division One Midlands,[1] In 2010 the club was switched to the Northern Premier League Division One South. In 2018 the club was relegated and placed into the Midland League Premier Division. In the 2019–20 season Romulus got to the final of the Midland League Cup, but the final was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ground
[edit]For many years Romulus shared a ground with Sutton Coldfield Town at Coles Lane. At the start of the 2018–19 season the club returned to their original base at Castle Vale Stadium in the Castle Vale area of Birmingham. The stadium features a 3G pitch and an air conditioned clubhouse. At the start of the 2023 season, Roms returned to Coles Lane now called the Domino Arena
Romulus also owns a training ground on Lindridge Road, Birmingham, where they have a full-time college academy for football players aged 16 to 19 years of age.
Management and coaching staff
[edit]| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Tyrell Belford |
| Assistant Manager | Kyle Perry |
| First Team Coach | Nathan Whitehead |
| Goalkeeper Coach | |
| Physio | Jess Virdi |
| Kit Manager |
Records
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]External links
[edit]Romulus F.C.
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and early years
Romulus Football Club was formed in 1979 by Roger Evans, the club's current president, and Ken Powell as a Sunday league team based in the Romulus area of Birmingham.[3] The initiative aimed to provide local amateur football opportunities within the community, drawing players from the surrounding Castle Vale district.[6] In its early years, the club competed exclusively in local Sunday leagues, emphasizing grassroots, community-oriented play without any formal affiliation to senior competitive structures.[7] Under the guidance of founders Evans and Powell, Romulus F.C. established a foundational team structure, hosting initial home games on local pitches and fostering steady growth through participation in these amateur fixtures.[8] This period marked the club's development as a hub for recreational football, with the team building a reputation for consistent involvement in regional Sunday competitions. By the late 1990s, sustained success in Sunday league play motivated the club's leadership to pursue a transition from amateur status to aspiring senior-level competition, laying the groundwork for formal entry into structured leagues.[3]Rise through the leagues
Romulus F.C. entered senior competitive football in the 1999–2000 season by joining the Midland Football Combination Division One, marking the club's transition from amateur Sunday league play.[5] The team finished as runners-up in their debut season, securing promotion to the Combination's Premier Division.[5] Over the next few years, Romulus established itself in the Premier Division, achieving consistent mid-table finishes: third place in 2000–01, fourth in 2001–02, and fifth in 2002–03.[5] The club's ascent accelerated in the 2003–04 season when it clinched the Midland Football Combination Premier Division title, earning promotion to the higher-tier Midland Football Alliance.[5] In their first Alliance campaign in 2004–05, Romulus adapted quickly to finish 12th out of 22 teams.[5] Progress continued with a strong fourth-place standing in 2005–06, followed by a runner-up finish in 2006–07 that propelled them into the Southern League Division One Midlands for the 2007–08 season.[5] This promotion highlighted the club's growing competitiveness at the eighth tier of the English football pyramid.[3] In the Southern League, Romulus experienced its most successful period to date. The team recorded 10th place in 2007–08 and 11th in 2008–09, before achieving its best-ever league finish of eighth in 2009–10, just four points shy of the play-off spots.[5] During this era, the club also made notable inroads in national cup competitions, entering the FA Cup for the first time in 2005–06 and reaching the second qualifying round in 2006–07, 2008–09, and 2009–10.[5] Similarly, in the FA Trophy, Romulus advanced to the second qualifying round in 2008–09, showcasing improved depth and resilience against regional non-league opponents.[5] The culmination of this upward trajectory came amid broader structural changes in English non-league football. Following the 2009–10 season, Romulus was transferred to the Northern Premier League Division One South for 2010–11 as part of a league realignment to balance regional divisions.[5] This switch positioned the club at a comparable level while aligning it more closely with teams from the Midlands and North.[3]Recent developments and challenges
Following a period of relative stability in the Northern Premier League Division One South, Romulus F.C. suffered relegation at the end of the 2017–18 season, dropping to the Midland League Premier Division. This marked a significant challenge for the club, as they finished bottom of the table in 22nd place out of 22 with 8 wins, 11 draws, and 23 losses from 42 matches, prompting a rebuild in the lower tier.[5] The 2019–20 season brought further disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the abandonment of the Midland Football League on March 26, 2020, with all results expunged and no promotions or relegations decided. Romulus had advanced to the Midland League Cup final earlier that year, but the match was indefinitely postponed amid the health crisis, denying the club a chance to claim the trophy they had won the previous season.[9][10] In 2023, Romulus returned to The Domino's Arena (formerly Coles Lane) after addressing ground-sharing and facility issues at their prior venue, Castle Vale Stadium, allowing for improved home operations and fan attendance. This move stabilized the club's infrastructure amid ongoing league participation.[11] As of November 2025, Romulus continues in the Capelli Sports Midland Football League Premier Division for the 2025–26 campaign, holding a mid-table position following a 13th-place finish in the 2024–25 season. Recent fixtures include a 0–1 league defeat to AFC Wolverhampton City on October 30 and a 4–0 JW Hunt Cup win against Warstones Wanderers on November 11, contributing to a mixed run that includes defensive vulnerabilities but signs of attacking improvement.[12][13]Club facilities and identity
Stadium and grounds
Romulus F.C.'s current home ground is The Domino's Arena in Sutton Coldfield, formerly known as Coles Lane, to which the club returned at the start of the 2024 season, currently groundsharing with Sutton Coldfield Town F.C. The stadium has an overall capacity of 1,800 spectators, with 260 seated positions, and features an artificial 3G pitch measuring 100 meters by 65 meters. Amenities include a function room for events, changing facilities, and parking for approximately 75 vehicles, supporting matchday operations for the club's first-team fixtures in the Midland Football League.[14] The club originally used Coles Lane as its primary venue from its founding in 1979 through the early 2010s, during which time it hosted numerous home games across various leagues while groundsharing with Sutton Coldfield Town F.C. In 2018, Romulus relocated to Castle Vale Stadium in the Castle Vale area of Birmingham, a newly refurbished facility with a FIFA-accredited 3G pitch and a capacity of 1,500 (355 seated and 1,145 standing), to secure a dedicated home ground and affirm its status as the senior club in the local area.[15][16] The five-year stint at Castle Vale allowed Romulus to host league and cup matches independently, though the club opted to return to The Domino's Arena in 2024, resuming its role as the central hub for competitive fixtures and community events. The venue's location in a residential area of Sutton Coldfield facilitates accessible attendance, with the ground's covered standing areas and basic spectator facilities contributing to an intimate matchday atmosphere.[17][18][19]Training facilities and academy
Romulus F.C. maintains its primary training facilities at the Lindridge Road ground in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, which supports first-team and reserve team sessions as well as youth programs. Established as the club's dedicated off-site venue since 2012, the site includes a 4G artificial pitch and an on-site gymnasium to facilitate year-round training in various weather conditions.[3][20] The Lindridge Road facility also houses the club's academy operations, emphasizing holistic player development through structured coaching and community engagement. In addition to regular use by senior squads, the ground occasionally supplements training at the main Coles Lane stadium when specialized sessions are needed. The Romulus F.C. academy, founded in 2012 and expanded into a full-time educational program in 2014, partners with Heart of England Training to offer a college-level initiative for players aged 16 to 19. This program integrates 10 hours of weekly UEFA A/B licensed football coaching with academic qualifications, including BTEC Level 2 and 3 courses in sports coaching, physical education, and development, alongside core subjects like Maths and English.[3][20] Designed as an alternative to traditional college, the academy operates from Lindridge Road, providing access to facilities like the 4G pitch, gym, and transport services, while promoting educational attainment through UCAS points-eligible certifications. The partnership underscores a commitment to producing well-rounded individuals, with graduates pursuing university, coaching careers, or higher-level football.[20] Youth development forms a core pillar of the academy, with teams competing at U10, U11, U13, U16, and U18 levels to build skills and pathways toward the senior squad or external opportunities such as semi-professional contracts and US soccer scholarships via affiliated programs. Under Academy Director Luke Rowe, these initiatives have grown to support nearly 60 players in the college program as of 2024, fostering talent progression within a supportive community framework.[3][20]Colours, kit, and crest
Romulus F.C.'s traditional home kit features red and white striped shirts paired with red shorts and socks, a design that has been consistent in recent seasons to evoke the club's vibrant identity.[21][22] The club's crest is a shield-shaped emblem rendered in red and white, prominently displaying a Roman soldier helmet at its center; this element directly references the name Romulus, drawn from the mythological founder of ancient Rome, symbolizing strength and heritage in the club's branding.[23][24] Over the years, the club's kits have evolved through partnerships with various manufacturers and sponsors, reflecting changes in commercial affiliations while maintaining core visual elements. In the 2018–19 season, MF Sports served as the kit supplier, launching new designs during an FA Cup match.[25] By the 2023–24 season, Joma had become the manufacturer, producing the red-and-white home kit and continuing into the 2025–26 campaign.[21] Shirt sponsorship has been held by local firm Tame Cleaning Services since at least 2024, with their logo appearing on the front of the home and away kits to support community ties.[26] Away kits typically contrast the home design with yellow and black stripes, as seen in the 2023–24 version by Joma, providing a bold alternative for matches against similarly colored opponents.[27] Third kits have varied historically to accommodate fixture needs, often incorporating alternative color schemes like all-black or blue accents, though specific 2025 designs emphasize flexibility in branding while honoring the Roman-inspired crest.[28]Management and personnel
Current coaching staff
As of November 2025, Romulus F.C.'s first-team coaching team is led by manager Tyrell Belford, who was appointed on August 28, 2025, following the departure of joint managers George Evans and Joe Ballinger earlier that month.[29] Belford, a former professional goalkeeper born on May 6, 1994, in Nuneaton, transitioned from a playing career that included youth stints at Coventry City and Liverpool, as well as senior appearances for clubs like Swindon Town and Nuneaton Borough, to non-league coaching roles prior to his Romulus appointment. His tenure has emphasized squad rebuilding and tactical adjustments in the Midland Football League, with early results including a debut victory on August 30, 2025.[30] Supporting Belford is assistant manager Kyle Perry, also appointed on August 28, 2025, who brings expertise in player development and forward-line tactics from his extensive playing background as a striker.[29] Perry, born on March 5, 1986, enjoyed a professional career spanning clubs such as Port Vale, Mansfield Town, and Northampton Town before continuing in non-league football with teams like Shepshed Dynamo, where he remains an active player.[31] His contributions have focused on integrating youth prospects into the first team during the 2025/26 season.[32] The coaching setup includes first-team coach Nathan Whitehead, who joined alongside Belford and Perry in August 2025 to handle technical training and match preparation.[33] Whitehead, an established non-league coach with prior involvement in youth development at clubs like Chetwynd Chess F.C., has provided stability in defensive organization amid the staff transition.[34] This refreshed lineup reflects Romulus's efforts to stabilize operations after mid-2025 changes, with no further alterations reported by November.[35]Administrative leadership
Romulus F.C. is governed by a compact administrative structure centered on family leadership, reflecting its grassroots origins and community focus. The club is owned by Richard Evans, son of founder Roger Evans, who assumed ownership following the elder Evans's transition from active management while maintaining a ceremonial role.[36][3] Richard Evans serves as the club's chairman, overseeing strategic decisions such as sponsorship partnerships, facility investments, and alignment with the club's youth academy initiatives. His involvement has emphasized sustainable growth, including the integration of the Romulus F.C. College for full-time football education programs. As owner, Evans ensures operational stability amid the challenges of non-league football.[36][3] Keith Higham holds the position of 1st Team Chairman and Secretary, playing a key role in day-to-day administrative operations, including league compliance, fixture coordination, and player welfare matters. Higham collaborates closely with the ownership on budgeting and community outreach efforts.[36] Roger Evans, the club's lifelong president and co-founder since 1979, provides ongoing guidance on the club's vision, drawing from his experience in elevating Romulus from Sunday league play to competitive senior football. His contributions have shaped the club's identity as a talent development hub.[3][36] The board includes Vice Chairman George Evans, supporting the chairman in governance and succession planning. This familial board structure promotes continuity, with no major administrative changes reported as of 2025; however, the incorporation of ROMULUS FC LIMITED in October 2024 formalized the club's legal entity for enhanced financial oversight.[36][37]Notable former managers
Richard Evans served as an early manager for Romulus F.C. during the club's formative years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, playing a key role in transitioning from Sunday league football to structured non-league competition after joining the Midland Combination in 1999. His emphasis on scouting local talent was crucial to the team's success, enabling the 2003–04 promotion to the Midland Football Alliance through a league-winning campaign. Evans departed the managerial role to focus on administrative duties, eventually becoming chairman, where his foundational efforts continue to influence the club's identity and community ties as of 2025.[38] Dave Barnett, a former professional defender with experience at clubs like Birmingham City, assumed the managerial position in 2010 and held it until 2015. His tenure coincided with Romulus's entry into the Northern Premier League Division One South in 2010, where the team sought to establish itself at step 4 of the non-league pyramid amid competitive challenges. Barnett's coaching brought a professional ethos to the squad, fostering discipline and tactical development during a period of relative stability before relegation pressures mounted. He stepped down in 2015 to explore other coaching ventures, leaving behind a model for player-coach transitions that shaped subsequent management approaches at the club.[39][40] Andy Turner managed Romulus from January 2015 to late 2017, often in a joint capacity while also overseeing the academy as director. Under his leadership, the first team navigated the Northern Premier League Division One South, prioritizing squad integration with youth prospects amid fluctuating results. Turner's dual role proved particularly impactful in youth development, guiding the U19 side to the National League Alliance Division I championship and promoting several talents to the senior setup. He resigned in late 2017 without acrimony, contributing a lasting emphasis on academy pathways that bolstered the club's sustainability and culture through the early 2020s.[41]Players and records
Current squad overview
As of November 2025, Romulus F.C.'s first-team squad for the 2025–26 Midland Football League Premier Division season features a balanced roster emphasizing defensive solidity and versatile midfield options, with several players contributing in early-season matches. The team, managed by Tyrell Belford (appointed August 2025), relies on experienced performers like Malachi Farquharson for leadership in central midfield, while integrating younger prospects to build depth.[42] Key roles include a stable goalkeeping unit and a forward line focused on clinical finishing, though the squad remains fluid due to the non-league environment. Recent signings have bolstered the defense, including 18-year-old full-back Cailen Beckford, who joined from Walsall's youth setup in June 2025, and central defender Ben Graham, added following the previous campaign's strong finish.[43][44] These additions aim to address vulnerabilities exposed in pre-season, with no major loans reported as of mid-November. The captaincy is held by an experienced squad member, though specific designation is not publicly detailed. The current squad composition, drawn from official match statistics up to early November 2025, includes the following key players across positions (selected representative sample of 18 active or registered members; full details on appearances and goals available via club records):| Position | Player Name | Age (as of Nov 2025) | Join Date (if known) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lewis Gwilliams | 33 | Unknown |
| GK | Bradley Clarkson | Unknown | Unknown |
| DF | Jordan Francis | Unknown | Unknown |
| DF | Dwayne Gava | Unknown | Unknown |
| DF | Ethan Green | Unknown | Unknown |
| DF | Cailen Beckford | 18 | June 2025 |
| DF | Ben Graham | Unknown | Summer 2025 |
| DF | Reiss Martin | Unknown | Unknown |
| DF | David Peplinski | Unknown | Unknown |
| MF | Malachi Farquharson | 33 | Unknown |
| MF | Charlie Gardiner | Unknown | Unknown |
| MF | Bekir Halil | Unknown | Unknown |
| MF | Ryan Nesbitt | 27 | Unknown |
| MF | Reece Nunn | Unknown | Unknown |
| FW | Fahme Ibrahim | Unknown | Unknown |
| FW | Brad Mansell | Unknown | Unknown |
| FW | Kyle Perry | Unknown | Unknown |
| FW | Tom Ricketts | Unknown | Unknown |

