They dropped CLB from their name in 1903 when they became founder members of the East Devon FA and of the Torquay & District League.
[1] When Torquay Athletic’s lease at Plainmmor was terminated in 1904, Rev Baker took on a tenancy at will lease to enable Ellacombe to stay in place.
Their rivals Babbacombe joined the Exeter-centred East Devon League with both clubs’ reserve teams continuing in the Torquay & District League alongside Torquay United’s first team.
By 1910, Devon's two most successful football clubs, Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, had turned professional and there was general feeling in Torquay that the three rivals would need to amalgamate if the town was to have a professional team of its own.
Although Babbacombe were firmly against any kind of merger, Ellacombe and Torquay United agreed to join forces and a new club, named Torquay Town was formed.