Road-Sea were founded in 1973 and were named after their corporate sponsors (a locally based freight shipping company).

The club originally played in the City of Southampton Sunday League, where they won every possible honour as they rose up through the divisions.

Road-Sea then purchased some land at Staplewood, Marchwood, near Southampton and with the aid of the company's financial backing, and momentum from team manager Peter Price, saw the facilities develop.

This resulted in an ambitious application to join the semi-professional Southern League being surprisingly accepted in 1982, despite the club having no previous history of playing Saturday football.

That season, they also enjoyed a fine run in the FA Vase where they reached Round 5 before being eliminated 1–2 away at Leyton Wingate.