Bluff City Mafia was founded in August 2018 by Parks Russell and Clayton France as the sole supporters group for 901FC. BCM was assembled while the soccer team was still un-branded as "USL Memphis", and garnered support amongst Memphis' soccer communities before the first ever exhibition soccer match was played in AutoZone Park on September 1, 2018.

​

After a boisterous display from core members primarily rooting for 901FC co-owner Tim Howard– at the time playing for MLS's Colorado Rapids as they faced off against USL's Tulsa Roughnecks, the Bluff City Mafia gained momentum with a groundswell of interest. The first official meeting of BCM happened on February 9, 2019, as a One Month Away celebration, and allowed members to get to know each other and prospective members to get more information on the group.