The club was in origin the works outfit of the Phoenix Bessemer steel company (formerly Messrs
Steel, Tozer, and Hampton), spun out of the cricket club, and claimed a foundation date of 1876. The club started playing under
Sheffield Rules, although by 1876 they were nearly indistinguishable from the
association football laws. The club entered the
FA Cup in 1882. Its 8–1 win over
Grimsby Town during that seasons FA Cup competition is still its opponent's record defeat. The club did not enter the FA Cup after 1883, although it remained a member of the
Football Association until 1885. ==Colours==