One of the oldest clubs in Zimbabwe, it was formed in 1931 by a merger of several teams which had their origins from Shona speaking areas but based in Bulawayo. The name Mashonaland United FC was used up until 1975 when nationalist leaders such as Dr
Herbert Ushewokunze and Dr
Joshua Nkomo (both late) felt tribal names were causing divisions among African people. It then changed its name to Zimbabwe Saints Football Club. Some of its early players include the late Vice President of Zimbabwe and the patron of ZIFA, Honourable
Joseph Msika. The "Chauya Chikwata" as it's nicknamed was arguably one of the best teams in the
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League in the 1980s and early 1990s. Famous for its youth development, the club has been home to some of the finest footballers to ever grace the
Zimbabwean national team such as
Joseph Machingura,
Agent Sawu, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Ronald Sibanda, Henry McKop, Ephraim Chawanda, Gibson Homela, John Sibanda, Ebson "Sugar" Muguyo to name just a few. The most famous class of 1988 coached by Roy Baretto went on a 23-game unbeaten streak to capture the
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League Championship in style. They were also losing semi-finalists of CECAFA Club championships in 1988. It went on to play in the
CAF Club Champions Cup in 1989 and was eliminated in the quarter-finals. In-club fighting has been the major cause of the club's decline. The club was demoted 2 times in 2004 and 2006. In 2007 a new executive led by seasoned administrator Elliot Manduna was elected into office. Since then the club was on a rebuilding exercise. It introduced a development side in Division Two.
Merger On Saturday 31 January 2009, the Life members of the club voted in favour of a merger with Njube Sundowns Football Club another Bulawayo based club. This was not successful but in February 2011, they bought the franchise of Chitungwiza-based Zimbabwe Premier League outfit Eagles. Zimbabwe Saints were relegated from the Premier Soccer League in 2006. The return of Zimbabwe Saints in 2011 into the premiership would bring more excitement into the league in Bulawayo. The city already had Highlanders and Chicken Inn in the Premier League.
Disappearance On May 3, 2016, Zimbabwe Saints have been expelled from the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two League, for failing to affiliate and fulfil three consecutive matches. ==Clubhouse==