About Old Etonians FC

Old Etonians Football Club is an amateur football club in England formed by former pupils of Eton College. Its origins date back to the mid-19th century, with matches between ex-students recorded as early as 1859, and the club formally emerging around 1865. The team was closely linked to the early development of association football and was among the clubs connected to the formation of The Football Association.

The club was one of the dominant forces in early FA Cup history. Old Etonians reached the final six times in nine years between 1875 and 1883, winning the competition twice, in 1879 and 1882. Their 1882 victory made them the last purely amateur side to win the FA Cup. During this period, they also contributed several players to the England national team, highlighting their importance in the early years of the sport.

As football became more professional and structured in the late 19th century, the influence of clubs like Old Etonians declined. They gradually withdrew from major competitions, with their last FA Cup appearances coming in the late 1880s and early 1890s. In modern times, the club continues to exist as an amateur side competing in the Arthurian League, maintaining its historical legacy as one of the pioneers of English football.