The club was one of the first to be active in Surrey and started off playing rugby union rules.

The club had originally lost to Barnes F.C., but put in a protest, on the basis that darkness had ended the match early,[4] which the Surrey Football Association upheld.

The club's home matches were originally played on Sheen Common, three-quarters of a mile from Mortlake railway station or at a field in Barnes.

From 1900[12] until 1905 it played at the St Margaret's ground, which was notorious for its lack of facilities, with no stands and a pavilion with obstructed views.

[14] By 1886 the club was wearing red and green,[15] and by 1888 light and dark blue, probably in halves as that was a popular combination.