The club had great importance in the development of the game in the nineteenth century and was the first team ever to win a match in the FA Cup.

[3][4][5] The regatta was organized from the White Hart public house, the same address subsequently used by the football club.

[6] According to an 1870 newspaper article, Barnes FC was "generally considered as an offshoot of the London Rowing Club".

Graham added that "J. Johnston, the owner of Pretender, ... plac[ed] his field, opposite his residence, Castelnau House, at its disposal for matches and the club's athletic sports".

This includes: In 2005, a claim of an earlier foundation date was made by BBC sports presenter John Inverdale.

They specified that the "place for play" should be Barnes Green, and that the "balls and other property of the club" should be kept at the White Hart public house.

According to an undated list in the Football Association archives, probably dating from 1864, the colours of Barnes FC were "blue with white spots – a cap".

The club took part in the first ever FA Cup in 1871–72, and was the first team ever to win a match in the tournament, on 11 November 1871 (most first-round games kicked off later that day; the only other 3pm kick-off ended 0-0).

[21] The club's greatest honour was winning the Surrey Senior Cup in 1883–84, beating Reigate Priory 3–2 in the final, at the Kennington Oval; captain R.S.

[22] Barnes reached the final again in 1887–88, but was forced to scratch to Lyndhurst, after a draw, because its players - mostly mercantilist stockbrokers - could not spare the time for a replay.

Although there are indeed possibilities that our earliest recorded match was in November 1862 versus Richmond and played at Barn Elms, it is from the 1920s that our true history is clear.

After finishing mid table in Surrey SE Combination League Div 2 in season 2023/24, the club moved to Kingston Premier Division (Step 8 of English football system).