 The Essendon Football Club had been playing its games in its local area since it had been formed in 1873, firstly at the back of the Robert McCracken's Ascot Vale property, and then at Flemington Hill.When the East Melbourne Football Club disbanded, the East Melbourne Cricket Club enticed the Essendon Football Club over to the East Melbourne ground.Although this oval was many kilometres from Essendon, the club played there for 40 years, 1882–1921.