The club was formed in the 1876 as the Albion Imperial Football Club[2] before becoming known as South Ballarat in 1884.[3]
The club was a provincial member of the Victorian Football Association (VFA) from 1883[3] until 1896, taking part in the Association's administration and competing against Melbourne-based VFA clubs between 1885 and 1888,[4] whilst also competing in the local Ballarat / Western Districts football competition too.
South Ballarat played a match against the touring British footballers in June 1888, winning by seven goals, 18 behinds to three goals, seven behinds.[5][6]
The club was a founding member of the Ballarat Football Association in 1893. During its time in the competition, it won eight senior premierships, including three in a row between 1911 and 1913.[7]
