Club History
23 Jul 2008

Like most truly legendary football clubs throughout the ages, Rhein F. C. is steeped in history. The Rhein didn't begin as an 11-a-side team, not did it even begin as a 5-a-side team. In fact, the roots of the club began in St. Edward's College in Liverpool where there happened a chance meeting between future Rhein stars Nick Bunstone and Soul Mugerwa.

This meeting happened in 1995 and the two fast became friends. Since the school had no official football team, as it was predominantly centred around rugby, the two fan favourites organised their own football kick-abouts with other college mates. So began their passion for football.

After leaving college, it became harder to organise games of football between friends and most friends had left the game behind and there was initially nowhere to play. Of course, university presented more friends and opportunities for the young, sexy duo. Soul had investigated that there was a 5-a-side league for students based in Liverpool called "Power League." Although the picture to the right suggests as much, it wasn't always sponsored by Microsoft / Xbox.

Indeed, the two joined when the pitches were made almost entirely of sand. After collecting friends from their respective universities and old friends from college, the pair set up a 5-a-side team under team name Ruff Ryders. Eventually, the squad recruited the likes of Robert Miller and Alan Brennan. With such additions to the squad, the team ranked higher than ever in their second season by placing third out of six. At this point, a young Paul Simmons was waiting in the wings, playing for a rival 5-a-side team in a different student league. Although he would never play for the Ruff Ryders officially, he was always a welcome face during kick-abouts. Due to other commitments, the Ruff Ryders finally disbanded, never to be reformed. The players continued to play football together at Picton / Wavertree, which is where the team currently train. This was a collective meeting point for most of the current 11-a-side squad.

In 2004, whilst happy with playing with just friends on the Picton pitches, Nick Bunstone and Soul Mugerwa missed the competitive side of football action and the chance to test themselves against the unknown. They began to talk of creating an 11-a-side team. Word of a new ϋber team, a dream team, in the making began to spread across many towns, cities and even countries. The Rhein was beginning to form...

The pair began to look for suitable leagues to join. They had no funds, no players who could definitely play each week, no pitch and no experience. Things looked bleak for the Rhein, even before the adventure began.

Soon, however, Soul had once again investigated some leagues based in Liverpool that we could join, one of which was known as the I Zingari league. What most people don't know about joining a league is that a team must keep accounts, minutes of regular meetings, hold and attend AGMs, have a complete squad, have assigned personnel to specific tasks and finally attend an interview in front of the staff who organise and run the league. At the time, neither Nick Bunstone nor Soul Mugerwa had any idea. Soul had managed to organise an interview with the committee members of the I Zingari league to see if we could join. The two donned their suits and entered the room for the interview. You could feel the sense of surprise and immediate tension within the plucky pair as they entered. Neither had expected that the interview would take place in front of a panel of 5. They sat down and the panel began their questioning; "where is your club based?", "where is your pitch located?", "where do you hold meetings?", "who is the club secretary?" etc... As one could imagine, this grilling was hard to face but the pair held their own and persevered. After all questions had been answered, the pair were told to leave the room whilst the committee deliberated on whether the Rhein (or Wavertree Wanderers as it was going to be called until they explained this team already existed, oops!) would be able to join.

The courageous couple were asked to come back into the room and face the verdict... we were in. Right there and then the Rhein was born. This was only the beginning of the work. Secretaries had to be appointed, a sponsor found, team members recruited, a kit selected, a pitch acquired, many forms completed etc... All these tasks were eventually completed, with the help of other team members and the season began in August 2005. The team were finally affiliated to the Liverpool County Football Association.

The season came and went, the club finished in last place but still feeling strong. We were pushed and supported by other clubs. The first season was expected to finish in such a way as we were a new-born club. However, the team wishes to have glory and hence forth the team left the I Zingari League for fame and fortune. They were to join the Liverpool Old Boys League. The first season was a season of highs and lows, with the club finishing just outside the promotion places. The following season, however, saw Rhein win their first promotion to Division 4.

Special Thanks

Even though all the team deserve a thanks for making the Rhein dream a reality, some personnel deserve a special mention for the work they've put into the team:

Soul Mugerwa - Founded the club, was the original Chairman to the club and so had to attend General Meetings, helped bring in new players, organised the kits and possibly much much more.

Nicholas Bunstone - Founded the club, initially organised the pitch, the original club secretary, purchased the nets, helped Soul in whichever way possible.

Mark Cotson - A large voice and effort throughout the Rhein's history. Always heard at training, helping with organization, created and maintained the original website. Took over as Chairman following Soul stepping down in 2008.

Oliver Brown - Coach since the clubs inception. His ability speaks for itself through the ace results we receive each week and his exceptional young boy academy where he gives special attention to younger boys of the squad.

Alan Brennan - Big personality, did all the stuff that no one else wanted to do at the beginning of every match, helped a lot with organization of team and training in Season 2005/6. Currently retired from club football in a selfish act... trying to save people's lives as a doctor. Good grief...

Stephen Boult - Took over from Alan in 2006 and an ever present in organising and geeing up the squad!

If I have missed anyone out that feels they are deserving of a special mention, apologies to them. Send me an e-mail to remind me what significant part you have played in the Rhein's prestigious history.

The Rhein's Facts and Details

- Established in year 2005

- Colours were originally planned to be navy blue with white trim but became navy blue and orange trim. This happened because when the order was placed for the shirts/shorts/socks, they were in stock but the order was mysteriously cancelled by the company selling the shirts after they found out they were in fact out of stock. Soul went out and bought a similar set of clothing.

- The club's name, Rhein, was stolen outright from popular game Pro Evolution Soccer. It's one of the random German team names as Konami don't have the Bundasliga rights. The team name was originally Wavertree Wanderers as this is where the original team met and used to play but this team was taken. Then it became a toss up between Westfalen and Rhein.

- Rhein F. C. are currently playing in Division 4 of the Liverpool Old Boys League.

- The home ground for Season 2008/9 is a category B pitch and resides at Thomas Lane Playing Fields, Thomas Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside, L14 5NR.