They began play in 1964 as a member of the Atlantic Coast Football League, replacing the Ansonia Black Knights.

[1] In 1965 the Charter Oaks were one of several ACFL franchises to join the new Continental Football League, where they finished in last place in their division.

[citation needed] Jerry Fishman, notorious for his unsportsmanlike behavior in the 1964 Maryland-Navy game, played his lone full professional season with the Charter Oaks in 1965.

[2] After cancelling a few games in 1967 due to financial difficulty, the Charter Oaks announced they were ceasing operations in March 1968.

[3] The Atlantic Coast Football League immediately established the Hartford Knights to replace the Charter Oaks in the market, and by at least one player's account (that of eventual Pro Bowl fullback Marv Hubbard), the Knights were still known as the Charter Oaks for at least their first season.