Shadwell Rovers was formed by a bunch of student friends at the St Matts Campus of Bristol UWE in 1996. They joined the Bristol + Wessex League Division 2 for the start of the 1996/97 season and reached their only cup final to date in that season. At the end of that season the team was promoted to Division 1 and by 1999/00 season they were in the Senior Division (actually finishing runners up).

In 2003/04 the team moved to the Bristol Regional (Sunday) League, Division 4. Promotion to Division 3 was achieved at the first time of asking and that is where the team currently sit.

Between 1999/00 and 2002/03 Shadwell Rovers Reserves played in the Bristol + Wessex League.

Between 1998/99 and 2001/02 a Shadwell affiliated team played in the intramural league of Bristol UWE. They were champions in 1998/99 and 1999/00 and runners up in 2000/01.