Having sought advice from other local managers, and despite the hefty defeat, the decision was made to enter a local league made up of church based teams from Manchester & Cheshire.

Squad members were encouraged to invite friends and colleagues to train and play in friendly matches and soon the core squad grew to around 20 members.

The South Manchester & Cheshire Christian Football League was already well established, having a first and second division, so it was proposed that Vinelife FC would enter a newly created third tier provided at least six other teams showed an interest. By August, four teams had provisionally signed up to a new third division however two of the teams subsequently withdrew their applications so the decision was made not to go ahead.

Instead a mini-league consisting of the two remaining teams was created to provide some match experience for both sides with a view to joining a third tier for the next season.
Vinelife FC proceeded to play a series of friendlies with a St Paul’s B team during the 2008/09 season.

This provided much needed experience for all involved and the season ended with two wins, two losses for both sides. In addition to this several training matches were played between Vinelife FC squad members providing great match experience in a more relaxed environment.

In the summer of 2009 Vinelife FC members voted to reapply for entry into the South Manchester & Cheshire Christian Football League for the 09/10 season. Following several meetings and after communication with team and league officials it was decided that there was enough interest to warrant the creation of a third tier in the league. This division would be made up of those teams who had applied in this and previous seasons.

It also emerged that an opportunity had arisen for one team to join the second division of the league following the withdrawal by another club. The position was offered on a first come first served basis to Vinelife FC but after much deliberation the offer was declined in favour of joining a new third division where it was felt experience could be gained in a little more relaxed environment, and crucially with two fewer matches to play.

Following the league’s AGM in July the proposal to created a third decision was ratified and Vinelife FC were official league members along with Sale Saints FC, Hazel Grove Reserves, Warrington Ambassadors, Burnley Life Green and Kay Street Baptist FC.

Vinelife FC received official FA affiliation in August of 2009 and has seen over 60 players of all age ranges and abilities play, train and enjoy football together.