The club was founded in 1870 as the works side of Hitchcock, Williams & Co, textile manufacturers near St Paul's Cathedral.

Despite the lack of interest in the national competition, the club was a founder member of the London Football Association in 1882.

[4] As the Olympic remained a works side, it could not compete at the top level of the game in the professional era, and it is unclear when the club disbanded.

[6] The club originally played in Blackheath, using the Hare & Billett for its facilities.

By 1881 it had moved its facilities to the Freemasons' Tavern in Romford Road, Forest Gate, suggesting its regular pitch was in West Ham Park.