The Essex club participated in the FA Cup on four occasions before and after World War II.
The Hoffman Manufacturing Company formed an Athletic Club in 1907, participating in many sports.
Football was initially played at Coval Lane before moving to a ground at Rainsford Road.
[1] They also joined the Essex & Suffolk Border League and a successful spell in the mid-late 1930s saw them finish as runners-up in the Senior Division in 1935–36 and 1936–37,[2] and entered the FA Cup for the first time the following season, losing 3–0 at home to Ipswich Town in the fourth qualifying round.
[3] In 1952, football switched to a pitch at St Fabians Drive, but returned to Rainsford Road in 1980.