Surplus players from the new Corowa-Rutherglen club reformed Rutherglen (initially as Rutherglen-Corowa) and played in the Coreen & District Football League for 13 years.

The original Rutherglen FC was established in 1877, with the first recorded match being against Wahgunyah Football Club on Wednesday, 3 June 1877.

The club was based at Rutherglen's Barkly Park, located just off Reid Street and just north-west of the town's center.

It was a powerhouse in the Ovens And Murray Football Association during its early days competing in many finals.

However, the Under 16s contested four grand finals from 1999 to 2002, claiming the club's sole premiership in 2001 over Bright by 29 points at the Tarrawingee Rec Reserve.

The Victorian Tallangatta & District Football League is based around the small towns and farming districts near Tallangatta with every finals match being held at the Sandy Creek Oval, locally referred to as the "MCG of the Bush".

While the club still hasn't tasted premiership success at senior or reserve levels after playing a number of final series, the club won its first Tallangatta & District Football League Premiership in 2007 when the Under 14s defeated Yackandanda by three points.

Traditionally, the club does not play on the Queen's Birthday Weekend as the town hosts the annual Winery Walkabout.

However, in 2016 the Corowa-Rutherglen Roos moved their OMFL and Round 11 match against the Wodonga Bulldogs to Barkly Park.