they opted to play in an all-blue kit, and at first played their home matches at the invicta ground in plumstead, royal arsenal's old ground. in their first season (1893–94), the club entered the fa amateur cup, beating new brompton before being knocked out 3–2 by reading. the rest of their first season consisted of friendlies. that changed in 1894–95 when they became founder members of the southern league. they finished seventh of nine in their first season, and had to play a test match in order to retain their divisional status. they played old st stephen's, winning 3–1.