Dundee Football Club came into being following the amalgamation of the Our Boys and East End clubs in 1893.

The club joined the Scottish League immediately, drawing 3-3 with Ranger in their first game.

Their first decade in the league saw them finish as runners-up on three separate occasions and in 1910 they won their first trophy when John "Sailor" Hunter scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Clyde.