In the 1888–89 season the association football team reached the Kent Senior Cup semi–final, losing to eventual winners Chatham.

In 1891 the rugby section was dropped[1] and the club concentrated on association football playing at the Bat and Ball cricket ground.

In 1891–92 the club were runners–up in the Kent Senior Cup (being overpowered in losing the final 11–0 to the Dover based Highland Light Infantry team).

[2] The new club leased land at Overcliffe for their home ground and their team colours were red and green striped shirt with white shorts.

[3] In 1894 a company was formed (taking most of the profit from, but not managing, the football operation) to develop the ground with provision of a wooden stand and dressing rooms.

Initially 'the Shrimpers' finished in mid table but over the seasons their position deteriorated and in the 1900–01 campaign they concluded their period in the Southern League 13th of 15 teams.

A year later in 1897–98 'the Shrimpers' were Thames and Medway Combination champions after a play–off match 3–1 win over Chatham with whom they had been tied on equal points at the head of the table.

This related to the previous season when the club prioritised a Kent Cup match and scratched a league fixture due to be played on the same date.

The club didn't immediately reappear after the war owing chiefly to their inability to secure a ground on which to play.

[12] In 1928 the funds, amounting to over £89, of the now defunct Gravesend United club which had been disbanded at the start of the war were distributed to charity.

Gravesend United were semi–finalists in the 1933–34 Kent Amateur Cup losing, following a replay, to the eventual winners the Chatham Royal Naval Depot.