Club History 1 of 7

1. Overview


There have been three rugby clubs that have borne the ‘Birmingham & Solihull’ name:

◆ Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Football Club Ltd. This was founded in 1989 upon the merger of two clubs, unsurprisingly Birmingham RFC and Solihull RUFC. The merger ended for Birmingham 80 years as an independent club, with Solihull RUFC dating back to 1933. The club was liquidated following severe financial difficulties experienced during the 2009/10 season when it was playing in the Championship (level 2).

◆ Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club Limited. This was incorporated on 22 October 2009 to take over the playing activities of Birmingham & Solihull RFC. This club was founded & owned by Chris Loughran as a private limited company & run (at senior squad level) as a semi-professional side. Its last season was 2018/19 when it finished 14th out of 16 in National League 2 (South) (level 4).

◆ Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Football Club Ltd. The Club:

  • was incorporated on 9 May 2018, as a company limited by guarantee (a ‘members’ club’), in anticipation of Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club Limited ceasing operating at the end of the 2018/19 season.
  • adopted the exact same name as the first club.
  • is fully amateur.
  • debuted at senior squad level in the Greater Birmingham Merit Table in the 2019/20 season & entered the official RFU league structure for the 2021/22 season in Midlands 5 South (West) (level 10) (there being no 2020/21 season by reason of Covid restrictions).
  • has an age grade section (‘minis & juniors’) & is in the process of getting ladies’ rugby up & running.
  • is ambitious to grow & advance at adult (both men’s & ladies’ rugby) & age grade level while always embracing the amateur ethos.

Some time after the first club was founded, it was given -& then adopted- the nickname 'the Bees'. The second club continued with this & we are proud to carry on the tradition, as well of course as the 'Birmingham & Solihull' name.

COME ON YOU BEES!

Amended by Jeremy Smith 10 April 2022