[3] The club, which was originally in E Section and known as "University (E)", provided opportunities for Blacks and Blues players who were not selected in either of those sides to get a regular match.

[4] Following the 1997 season, under increasing pressure from the Melbourne University Sports Union to meet the required number of undergraduate and post graduate registrations to obtain funding, the club split from the university and were renamed to Fitzroy Reds, with 1998 their first season competing under the new name.

[3][6] In 2003, the Reds played a curtain-raiser match against West Brunswick at the MCG before the Brisbane Lions met Collingwood during the AFL Heritage Round.

Fitzroy had left the AFL following the 1996 season, but had not entirely disbanded and had a sponsorship arrangement with the Reds.

The Reds terminated its membership of the VAFA and was wound up as an incorporated company and football club.