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Romulus F.C.
Romulus F.C.
from Wikipedia

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

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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

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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

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Position Name
Manager Tyrell Belford
Assistant Manager Kyle Perry
First Team Coach Nathan Whitehead
Goalkeeper Coach
Physio Jess Virdi
Kit Manager

Records

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  • Best league performance: Southern League Division One Midlands, 8th, 2009–10
  • Best FA Cup performance: 2nd Qualifying Round, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2018–19
  • Best FA Trophy performance: 2nd Qualifying Round, 2008–09
  • Best FA Vase performance: 3rd Round, 2006–07[1]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Romulus Football Club is an English semi-professional club based in , West Midlands, that competes in the Premier Division of the , the ninth tier of the . Formed in 1979, the club plays its home matches at the Domino's Arena and is known for its progression from local to regional non-league competitions. The club was established by Roger Evans, who serves as its current president, and Ken Powell, initially participating in league matches before joining the Midland Football Combination's Division One in 1999. Romulus quickly rose through the ranks, finishing as runners-up in Division One in their debut season and securing promotion to the Premier Division, where they won the title in the 2003–04 campaign to earn further elevation to the . In 2006–07, they achieved runners-up status in the Alliance, leading to promotion to the Southern League Division One Midlands, and later transferred to the Division One South in 2010. Despite reaching the eighth tier during their peak, Romulus faced challenges, including relegation back to the Midland League Premier Division in 2018 after eight seasons in the Division One South. The club maintains an active academy at its Lindridge Road training facility, supporting youth teams from under-10 to under-19 levels, and continues to compete in cup competitions such as the and alongside league play.

History

Founding and early years

Romulus Football Club was formed in 1979 by Roger Evans, the club's current president, and Ken Powell as a league based in the area of Birmingham. The initiative aimed to provide local amateur football opportunities within the community, drawing players from the surrounding district. In its early years, the club competed exclusively in local leagues, emphasizing , community-oriented play without any formal affiliation to senior competitive . Under the guidance of founders Evans and Powell, Romulus F.C. established a foundational , hosting initial home games on local pitches and fostering steady growth through participation in these amateur fixtures. This period marked the club's development as a hub for recreational football, with the building a reputation for consistent involvement in regional competitions. By the late , sustained success in league play motivated the club's leadership to pursue a transition from status to aspiring senior-level competition, laying the groundwork for formal entry into structured leagues.

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 league play. The team finished as runners-up in their debut season, securing promotion to the Combination's Premier Division. 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. 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. In their first Alliance campaign in 2004–05, Romulus adapted quickly to finish 12th out of 22 teams. 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. This promotion highlighted the club's growing competitiveness at the eighth tier of the English football pyramid. 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. During this era, the club also made notable inroads in national cup competitions, entering the for the first time in 2005–06 and reaching the second qualifying round in 2006–07, 2008–09, and 2009–10. Similarly, in the , Romulus advanced to the second qualifying round in 2008–09, showcasing improved depth and resilience against regional non-league opponents. The culmination of this upward trajectory came amid broader structural changes in English . Following the 2009–10 season, Romulus was transferred to the Division One South for 2010–11 as part of a league realignment to balance regional divisions. This switch positioned the club at a comparable level while aligning it more closely with teams from the and North.

Recent developments and challenges

Following a period of relative stability in the 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. The 2019–20 season brought further disruption due to the , which led to the abandonment of the on March 26, 2020, with all results expunged and no promotions or relegations decided. Romulus had advanced to the 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. In 2023, returned to The Domino's Arena (formerly Coles Lane) after addressing ground-sharing and facility issues at their prior venue, Stadium, allowing for improved home operations and fan attendance. This move stabilized the club's infrastructure amid ongoing league participation. As of November 2025, continues in the Capelli Sports Premier Division for the 2025–26 campaign, holding a mid-table position following a 13th-place finish in the –25 season. Recent fixtures include a 0–1 league defeat to AFC City on October 30 and a 4–0 JW Hunt Cup win against Warstones Wanderers on , contributing to a mixed run that includes defensive vulnerabilities but signs of attacking improvement.

Club facilities and identity

Stadium and grounds

Romulus F.C.'s current home ground is The Domino's Arena in , 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 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 . 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 Town F.C. In 2018, Romulus relocated to Castle Vale Stadium in the area of Birmingham, a newly refurbished facility with a FIFA-accredited 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. 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 of facilitates accessible attendance, with the ground's covered standing areas and basic spectator facilities contributing to an intimate matchday atmosphere.

Training facilities and academy

Romulus F.C. maintains its primary training facilities at the Lindridge Road ground in , near Birmingham, which supports first-team and sessions as well as youth programs. Established as the club's dedicated off-site venue since 2012, the site includes a artificial pitch and an on-site gymnasium to facilitate year-round training in various weather conditions. The Lindridge Road facility also houses the club's operations, emphasizing holistic player development through structured and . In addition to regular use by senior squads, the ground occasionally supplements training at the main when specialized sessions are needed. The Romulus F.C. , founded in and expanded into a full-time in , 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 A/B licensed football with academic qualifications, including BTEC Level 2 and 3 courses in sports , , and development, alongside core subjects like Maths and English. Designed as an alternative to traditional , the academy operates from Lindridge , providing access to facilities like the pitch, gym, and transport services, while promoting educational attainment through points-eligible certifications. The partnership underscores a commitment to producing well-rounded individuals, with graduates pursuing , coaching careers, or higher-level football. 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 soccer scholarships via affiliated programs. Under Academy Director , these initiatives have grown to support nearly 60 players in the program as of 2024, fostering talent progression within a supportive community framework.

Colours, kit, and crest

Romulus F.C.'s traditional home kit features and striped shirts paired with shorts and socks, a that has been consistent in recent seasons to evoke the club's vibrant identity. The club's crest is a shield-shaped rendered in and , prominently displaying a Roman soldier helmet at its center; this element directly references the name , drawn from the mythological founder of , symbolizing strength and heritage in the club's branding. 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. By the 2023–24 season, Joma had become the manufacturer, producing the red-and-white home kit and continuing into the 2025–26 campaign. 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. Away kits typically contrast the home design with and stripes, as seen in the 2023–24 version by , providing a bold alternative for matches against similarly colored opponents. Third kits have varied historically to accommodate fixture needs, often incorporating alternative color schemes like all- or accents, though specific 2025 designs emphasize flexibility in branding while honoring the Roman-inspired crest.

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. Belford, a former professional goalkeeper born on May 6, 1994, in , transitioned from a playing career that included youth stints at Coventry City and , 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 , with early results including a debut victory on August 30, 2025. 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. 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. His contributions have focused on integrating youth prospects into the first team during the 2025/26 season. 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. 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. This refreshed lineup reflects Romulus's efforts to stabilize operations after mid-2025 changes, with no further alterations reported by November.

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. 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 . 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. 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. The board includes Vice Chairman George Evans, supporting the chairman in and . 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.

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 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. 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 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 transitions that shaped subsequent management approaches at the club. Andy Turner managed Romulus from January 2015 to late , often in a joint capacity while also overseeing the as director. Under his leadership, the first team navigated the 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 without acrimony, contributing a lasting emphasis on pathways that bolstered the club's and culture through the early 2020s.

Players and records

Current squad overview

As of November 2025, Romulus F.C.'s first-team 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. Key roles include a stable goalkeeping unit and a forward line focused on clinical finishing, though the 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. 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):
PositionPlayer NameAge (as of Nov 2025)Join Date (if known)
GKLewis Gwilliams33Unknown
GKBradley ClarksonUnknownUnknown
DFJordan FrancisUnknownUnknown
DFDwayne GavaUnknownUnknown
DFEthan GreenUnknownUnknown
DFCailen Beckford18June 2025
DFBen GrahamUnknownSummer 2025
DFReiss MartinUnknownUnknown
DFDavid PeplinskiUnknownUnknown
MFMalachi Farquharson33Unknown
MFCharlie GardinerUnknownUnknown
MFBekir HalilUnknownUnknown
MFRyan Nesbitt27Unknown
MFReece NunnUnknownUnknown
FWFahme IbrahimUnknownUnknown
FWBrad MansellUnknownUnknown
FWKyle UnknownUnknown
FWUnknownUnknown
Ages for select players are sourced from transfer records; comprehensive join dates beyond recent additions are not specified in available club updates. The squad's early-season form highlights contributions from midfielders like Gardiner (1 goal) and wingers such as Ricketts (1 goal), supporting Romulus's push for mid-table stability.

Notable former players

One of the most prominent academy graduates of Romulus F.C. is , who began his youth career with the club's junior team in the Birmingham Boys League before progressing to Aston Villa's academy in 1998. During his time at Romulus, Vassell demonstrated exceptional goal-scoring ability, setting an impressive record that caught the attention of professional scouts. He went on to make 168 appearances for Aston Villa in the , scoring 41 goals, and earned 22 caps for the England national team, including participation in the where he scored once. Vassell later played for Manchester City and Leicester City, amassing over 100 appearances in total. Luke Moore, another product of Romulus's youth setup, started playing for the club as a youngster alongside his brother Stefan before joining Aston Villa's academy. Moore debuted for Villa in 2003 and scored 11 goals in 58 Premier League appearances, contributing to their 2005-06 UEFA Champions League campaign. He later moved to West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers in the Championship, before crossing to Major League Soccer with Toronto FC in 2013, where he won the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2017 and scored 15 goals across 74 appearances. Moore's career highlights his transition from non-league roots to international professional success. Zat Knight emerged from Romulus's youth ranks in the late 1990s, honing his defensive skills at the club prior to signing with Coventry City in 1999. Standing at 6 ft 6 in, Knight established himself as a reliable centre-back, making over 100 appearances for in the between 2000 and 2007, including in their 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup-winning campaign. He later played for Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, and Reading, accumulating more than 200 top-flight appearances and earning one cap for in 2010. Knight's physical presence and aerial ability were key to his rise from to elite-level football. Marvin Johnson joined as a senior player in 2011 and quickly became a standout performer, scoring 18 goals in the Division One South during the 2011-12 season, which earned him a move to Football League club Harriers. At , he added 20 goals in 120 appearances across all competitions, helping secure promotion to the Football League in 2013. Johnson's career progressed to side , where he scored 11 goals in 59 games, before stints at , Oxford United, and Sheffield Wednesday in the , where he has made over 150 appearances and contributed to playoff campaigns. His pace and versatility as a left have defined his post- achievements. Nathan Blissett arrived at Romulus in 2011 on a part-time basis and netted 13 goals in 34 appearances during the 2011-12 season, showcasing his physicality as a 6 ft 5 in forward. This form led to a transfer to Harriers in 2012, where he scored 11 goals in 61 games and helped win the in 2014. Blissett advanced to League Two with Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United, making 50 appearances and scoring 8 goals, before playing for Plymouth Argyle and later non-league clubs like Telford United. His journey from illustrates the club's role in developing prolific strikers for professional environments.

Attendance and performance records

Romulus F.C. has maintained modest attendance figures consistent with its status in English . In the 2024–25 season, the club's average home attendance stood at 84, with the highest recorded crowd of 146 at The Dominos Arena. Earlier notable attendances include 201 spectators for an away preliminary round match against Rugby Town in August 2017, though home figures have generally remained below 200 in documented fixtures. The club's all-time top scorers and players with the most appearances are not comprehensively documented in public records, reflecting the challenges of tracking statistics for lower-tier non-league teams. Similarly, records for the most clean sheets by a or defender remain unverified in available sources. Key seasonal performance benchmarks highlight 's most successful era in the early 2000s. The highest points total came in the 2003–04 Midland Combination Premier Division season, where the team amassed 95 points from 40 matches, securing the league title and promotion with 31 wins, 2 draws, and 7 losses. This campaign also featured the club's record for goals scored in a season, with 128 netted across all competitions. In 2006–07, achieved 86 points in the Midland Football Alliance, finishing as runners-up and earning another promotion with 25 wins and 11 draws. Specific win streaks and unbeaten runs from these periods are not detailed in historical archives, but the 2003–04 performance represents the pinnacle of the club's consistency and offensive output up to November 2025.

Achievements

League honours

Romulus F.C. achieved their sole league title in the 2003–04 season by winning the Midland Football Combination Premier Division with a record of 31 wins, 2 draws, and 7 losses, accumulating 95 points and scoring 128 goals, which earned them promotion to the Midland Football Alliance. The club's promotion history began in the 1999–2000 season, when they finished as runners-up in the Midland Football Combination Division One with 28 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses for 90 points, securing elevation to the Premier Division. Subsequent promotions included second place in the Midland Alliance during the 2006–07 season (25 wins, 11 draws, 6 losses, 86 points), leading to entry into the Southern League Division One Midlands in 2007–08. League restructuring in 2010–11 placed them in the Northern Premier League Division One South, where they competed until relegation in 2017–18 after finishing last with 8 wins, 11 draws, and 23 losses. In the 2024–25 Midland League Premier Division, they ended 13th with 12 wins, 3 draws, and 19 losses from 34 games, earning 39 points.

Cup competitions

Romulus F.C. has participated in the since the early , with their deepest runs reaching the second qualifying round on three occasions. In the 2006–07 season, the club navigated the preliminary rounds with a 0–0 draw against Stourport Swifts followed by a 5–0 replay victory, then advanced past Shirebrook Town 6–0 in the first qualifying round. Their campaign ended in the second qualifying round after a 2–2 draw away at Worcester City, but a 1–3 home defeat in the replay halted progress. The saw Romulus repeat their second qualifying round achievement, beginning with a 2–1 home win over Stratford Town in the first qualifying round before losing 1–3 to Retford United in the second qualifying round. In 2018–19, Romulus started strongly with a 6–1 extra preliminary round victory over Westfields, followed by a 3–1 preliminary round win against AFC Wulfrunians. They then secured a 4–0 first qualifying round triumph over Belper Town, highlighted by a dominant performance where Belper struggled to create chances. The run concluded with a 3–4 defeat at Town in the second qualifying round, a high-scoring match that saw Romulus lead twice before conceding late. In the , 's best performance came in 2006–07, reaching the third round proper. They defeated Shifnal Town 1–0 in the first qualifying round and Oldbury United 3–0 in the second qualifying round. The campaign ended with a 2–5 home loss to Synthonia in the third round. reached the final of the Cup in the 2019–20 season but the match was postponed and ultimately abandoned due to the , with no winner declared. The club has made regular appearances in the , including a second-round exit in the 2024–25 season after a 3–1 defeat to Aston Villa. In the 2025–26 season, they were eliminated in the first round with a 0–3 loss to Town. Recent cup campaigns have been shorter, with Romulus exiting the 2024–25 in the extra preliminary round via a 0–2 defeat away to Sutton Coldfield Town and the in the first round proper after a 1–3 loss at Coalville Town. In the 2025–26 , Romulus lost 0–2 at home to Coventry Sphinx in the extra preliminary round. In the 2025–26 , they lost 3–4 away to Lye Town in the first qualifying round.

References

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