The Dreadnoughts wore black and red, and played their home games at the Essendon Recreation Reserve (known today as Windy Hill).

The club was formed as Essendon Town in 1900 and joined the VFA that year.

The "Essendon Town Football Club" came about as a result, a side which would play their home games in the district.

[2] In 1922, most Essendon Association players moved to the reformed North Melbourne Team.

North Melbourne had disbanded during the 1921 VFA season, assuming that they would be amalgamating with the Essendon League team.