Quedgeley Wanderers Football Club have come a very long way since they were founded in the mid-1990s.

When they were set up by David Mulrain and Ron Capper in 1994 they had just one under-14 side.

Nowadays they run 23 or 24 teams across all age groups, including three men’s senior teams, a veterans’ team and a walking football section.

It is a remarkable tale and one of the big beneficiaries has been Mulrain’s son James.

Mulrain junior is 36 now and is first-choice goalkeeper for the first team which this season are playing in Division One of the Northern Senior League for the first time.

“It’s been incredible,” said James. “The club were originally set up when Hardwicke Under-14s were disbanded. I was just about to move into that age group along with Ron Capper’s son Dave. We had nowhere to play so our dads set up Quedgeley Wanderers. Originally the under-14s were the only team but the club have just grown from there.”

”The club used to run Saturday morning training sessions that anyone could attend. We soon had enough players to field other age group teams and within five years had five or six kids’ teams.”

A senior men’s team were set up in 1997/98, starting in Stroud League Division Seven.

And the young James was in the senior team from the start – he played full-back in the early years before moving to the centre of the defence and then becoming a goalkeeper four years ago – and now has almost as many medals as Ryan Giggs.

So, what has he done with them?

“My fiancée Charlotte Baldwin told me I couldn’t have them all out around the house so I’ve had to put quite a few in the loft,” he laughed.

His medals may be hidden away but there is no hiding the fact that Quedgeley Wanderers are one of the big success stories in grassroots football in Gloucestershire.

They were called the Wanderers because in those early years they had no place that they could call home.

“We had to find pitches to play on,” said James. “We’d play at Winget, Wall’s Sports and Social Club, Plock Court and King George V at Hucclecote.”

These days they play the majority of their matches at Waterwells but they also have access to pitches at Severn Vale School and Kingsway.

“We’ve got a partnership agreement for Waterwells with the parish council,” said James. “We’ve got two adult pitches and we’ve also got a nine-a-side pitch, three mini soccer pitches and a seven-a-side astroturf pitch.

“And we’re just looking at funding to have floodlights installed on the main pitch.”

James’ dad, now 68 and a goalkeeper for Newent Town back in the day, is still very much involved with the club even though he had taken a break from official duties.

That sabbatical has ended, however, because he is the club’s new chairman this season.

“I asked him if he’d do it,” said James. “When he first set up the club he was secretary and developed other age groups. He did a bit of everything. Then as the club grew he concentrated on being the secretary for 10 years before taking a break.

“Three years ago we made him and Ron Capper lifetime presidents and presented both of them with plaques.

“Dad knows all about running an amateur club. He’s retired now so he’s got a bit more time and helps out with various duties.

“It was his love of football and love for the club that brought him back. Without Ron, my dad and the tireless efforts of all the committee members, volunteers, players and parents over the years the club wouldn't be in the position they are today.”

It’s a real family affair because David’s wife Lesley and his daughter Kelly are also involved in the club and play their part in making it such a thriving concern.

On the field the club still have big ambitions.

“The plan is to go up through the Northern Senior League, through the County League and into the Hellenic League,” said James.

“The aim this season is to get a foothold in the new division and then next season push for the title. We want to build up gradually, we don’t want to rush things and fall flat on our faces.

“There are a lot of tough teams about and it’s a tough league.”

And what about James? How long does he intend to keep on playing?

“I’d like to play for another couple of years, which will take me to 25 years of playing for the club,” he said. “When I stop playing I’ll still be very much involved. I’ve just joined the committee and I’m the Respect and Disciplinary Officer for the senior sides. It means that if anyone steps out of line they have to answer to me.”

And who does James answer to if he steps out of line?

“My dad, he’s the chairman,” he laughed.