The team was formed to play in the ORFU in 1941 to fill the void left by the Hamilton Tigers, who ceased operations that year due to many players joining the army.

The more established IRFU team, the Hamilton Tigers, faced similar struggles, and World War II proved disruptive to both leagues' operations.

In 1941, the Tigers suspended operations due to the war, and the IRFU as a whole would do so from 1942 and 1944, leaving many talented players to join teams in the ORFU as well as a void in Hamilton football.

After the war ended, the IRFU resumed operations and players that had played for the Tigers were returned to their club.

[4] The switch proved to be difficult for the team, who went from first in the ORFU to dead last in the IRFU, with only one win in their two seasons in that league.