Earlam had discovered the game at York College in 1873 and been a centre-forward with Northwich Victoria, and founded Davenham FC on his move to the village in 1879, although he continued playing for Victoria, winning the Cheshire Senior Cup with them as a player in 1881.

As there were no further matches in the Cheshire division, the club did not have to play a fourth round tie, and in the fifth was drawn away to Small Heath Alliance.

[17] The club had entered the Welsh Cup from the 1881–82 season, and first got past the first round in 1883–84, with a 16–0 win over Holywell Rovers.

The club's best run in the tournament came in 1886–87; a walkover, two replay victories (one of which a rare win over Northwich Victoria[18]), and a bye put the side in the semi-finals against Oswestry White Star.

in the final, played at Crewe's Nantwich Road ground, but lost by the same scoreline, the Davenham goal being a consolation with five minutes remaining.

In December 1889, the two clubs and Northwich Victoria agreed on amalgamation, to take effect from May 1890, with a view to the merged side turning professional.