Following the merger of Racing White and Daring Club de Bruxelles in 1973, the newly formed Racing White Daring Molenbeek (RWDM) introduced its first official crest. Departing from the traditional heraldic style, the club adopted a modern rectangular badge featuring the initials RWD, the municipality name Molenbeek, the club's distinctive red-and-black colours and black-and-white vertical stripes, together with a red star enclosed within a white circle. The clean geometric design reflected the modern branding trends of the era and quickly became one of the most recognisable identities in Belgian football. During its early years, the badge appeared in several graphic variations, differing mainly in border and typography while preserving the same core design.
In 1982, the crest underwent its first major redesign. The rectangular layout was retained, but the typography was modernised, the proportions refined and the club name Molenbeek became more prominent beneath the emblem. The updated badge provided a cleaner and more balanced appearance while preserving the familiar red-and-black colour scheme, striped motif and red star that had defined RWDM since its formation.
A further refinement followed in 1995, simplifying the badge even further. Decorative borders were removed, typography became bolder and the emblem adopted a flatter, more minimalist appearance. Although visually updated, the crest maintained the established visual identity that had represented RWDM throughout its most successful years before the club's bankruptcy in 2002.
Following the disappearance of the original RWDM, FC Strombeek relocated to the Edmond Machtens Stadium in 2003 and adopted the name FC Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek. A completely new crest replaced the historic RWDM emblem, featuring a football, a charging lion and circular typography highlighting both Molenbeek and Brussels. The redesign marked a complete break from the traditional identity while symbolising the beginning of a new chapter for professional football in Molenbeek.
In 2007, after simplifying its name to FC Brussels, the club unveiled another new crest. The circular badge incorporated bold red-and-black vertical stripes, a football and the Brussels lion, creating a stronger and more modern identity while continuing to represent the club throughout its remaining years in Belgian professional football.
A significant return to tradition came in 2013, when the club adopted the name RWDM Brussels FC. The new crest revived elements of the historic RWDM identity by reintroducing the familiar red-and-black colours and striped motif within a shield-shaped badge, while also incorporating the Brussels iris as a symbol of the capital. Although welcomed by many supporters, this revived identity lasted only a single season before the club ceased operations in 2014 because of financial difficulties.
Following the foundation of RWDM47 in 2015, a new crest was introduced that drew direct inspiration from the original 1973 emblem. The familiar rectangular composition, red-and-black colour blocks, black-and-white stripes and red star all returned, while the simplified typography and modern proportions reflected the rebirth of one of Belgium's most historic football identities. The badge represented the club throughout its rise back to professional football and remained in use after the club officially shortened its name to RWD Molenbeek.
In 2025, the club adopted the name RWDM Brussels, restoring the historic RWDM initials while adding Brussels to strengthen its international identity. The crest was updated accordingly, replacing Molenbeek with Brussels beneath the emblem while preserving the classic rectangular design, red-and-black colour scheme, black-and-white stripes and red star that have defined the club's visual identity since 1973. The redesign acknowledged both the club's historic heritage and its modern ambitions while respecting the wishes of its supporters.
RWDM Club History
Founded in 1973 following the merger of Racing White and Daring Club de Bruxelles, Racing White Daring Molenbeek (RWDM) quickly became one of Belgian football's leading clubs. Combining the traditions of two historic Brussels sides, the new club adopted the famous black, red and white colours and made the Edmond Machtens Stadium its home, establishing itself as a major force in the Belgian capital.
RWDM enjoyed immediate success, winning the Belgian First Division title in 1974–75, only two years after its formation. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the club became a regular contender for domestic honours and represented Belgium in European competition, competing in both the European Cup and the UEFA Cup. The club also reached the Belgian Cup Final in 1976, further strengthening its reputation as one of the country's strongest sides.
Following years of financial instability, the original RWDM was declared bankrupt in 2002, bringing an end to one of Belgium's most successful post-war clubs. Shortly afterwards, FC Strombeek relocated to Molenbeek and became FC Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek, later simplified to FC Brussels. Although the club achieved promotion to the Belgian First Division in 2004, many supporters continued to identify with the historic RWDM rather than its successor. In 2013, the club attempted to revive the former identity by adopting the name RWDM Brussels FC, but persistent financial problems led to its dissolution in 2014.
The RWDM name returned in 2015, when a supporters' initiative acquired the registration number of Standaard Wetteren and founded RWDM47, restoring the historic colours, crest and identity of the original club. Starting in the Belgian Fourth Division, the club achieved successive promotions and steadily climbed the Belgian football pyramid.
A new era began in 2021, when American businessman John Textor acquired a majority stake in the club through Eagle Football Holdings. Two years later, RWDM won the 2022–23 Challenger Pro League title, securing promotion to the Belgian Pro League for the first time under its modern identity. Although the club was relegated after one season in the top flight, it remained one of Belgium's most ambitious clubs. In 2025, after briefly announcing a rebrand to Daring Brussels, strong opposition from supporters resulted in the club retaining the historic RWDM identity, with the official name becoming RWDM Brussels.
The club's fiercest rivalry is the Brussels Derby against RSC Anderlecht, while historic encounters with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise also rank among the capital's most important fixtures. Despite a history marked by bankruptcy, rebirth and successive continuations, RWDM has preserved one of the strongest football identities in Brussels, remaining a symbol of the municipality of Molenbeek and its passionate supporters.
