The first official record of footy in Gawler is in June 1868, when the Gawler Town Council was told that a Gawler Football Club had been formed, and that they were seeking permission to put up goals in the parklands. From this original club, the Athenian and Havelock Football Clubs were formed in 1880, followed by the Albion Football Club in 1881. Throughout the 1880s, Albion became the strongest team.

In 1887, Albion amalgamated with Havelock and Athenian to formally apply to the South Australian Football Association as an organised Gawler Football Club. In orange and black colours, Gawler played its first game against Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on May 7,1887. That year Gawler won one, drew one, and lost nine games.

At this time there are two names pertinent to Gawler South. The most remembered of the two would be James Fitzgerald, formerly of the Albion club and a senior player at Gawler, who would become the eventual founder of our great club. The other was his good friend George Sanderson, a young champion for Havelocks and Athenians himself. Both were very important men in Gawler footy.

After only limited success in two seasons competing in the SA Football Association (today's SANFL), the original Gawler Football Club was struggling by 1889 both for talent and supporters. Despite their best efforts, the 1889 season would be the last for the Gawler Football Club, however they were to leave a great legacy behind - what would become the Gawler Football Association and the three famous Gawler clubs.

When calls went out for teams to be formed to compete in the new Gawler Junior Football Association, James Fitzgerald organised and chaired the first meeting of of people interested in the formation of a football club in the Gawler South area. When Sanderson joined him, many other locals rushed behind in him to be part of the new Gawler South club.

Ultimately, Fitzgerald would be elected as the first Captain, while George Sanderson was appointed as his Vice Captain. Already an established football identity, in essence George Sanderson was the first South star import. George of course would later follow Fitzgerald and captain the club for four successive seasons, including the premierships of 1891 and 1893. Our first great player of true origin and one of the club's first leaders.