They joined the Northern League in 1891 and in January 1892 lost 5–3 to Montrose in the Forfarshire Cup Final.

Initially the cup was withheld after Dundee East End protested concerning Montrose's late arrival at the game.

[2] At the end of their first season in the Northern League they shared the title with their city rivals Dundee Our Boys.

[3] East End's first appearance in the Scottish Cup came in the 1882–83 season, losing 4–3 away to Arbroath in the first round.

In the second round they drew 2–2 at home to Broughty, initially winning the replay 8–2, although the match was declared void.

East End won the replayed game 2–1 and progressed to a third round tie away to Arbroath.

[12] The committee met for the first time on 23 June 1893, at Mathers' Hotel in Dundee, with J. Petrie of East End being appointed chairman.

[18] They moved again the following year, to Madeira Park, which was first used for a Scottish Cup match against Strathmore on 8 September 1883.

In 1893 the newly formed Dundee F.C., upon their immediate election to the Scottish Football League, initially played on Our Boys' West Craigie Park ground; this lasted for only one season before they moved to Carolina Port.