There have been three rugby clubs, each one a separate legal entity, that have borne the ‘Birmingham & Solihull’ name: ◆ Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Football Club Ltd ('the first club'), founded in 1989 -as an industrial and provident society- upon the merger of two clubs, Birmingham RFC and Solihull RFC. The club was liquidated following severe financial difficulties experienced during the 2009/10 season when it was playing in the Championship (level 2). In this article the nickname 'the Bees' (see later) is used to refer to any of these clubs.