Way back in the 1880's several Old Estonians' visited Hackney Wick, then a very under privilege district of east London, and raised funds to build the first district church ,create the church choirs ,the community clubs and activities. The first vicar was an ex professional footballer- from West- Bromwich Albion who initially received a harsh reception. Money was raise initially to build the Iron Church, then later the St Mary of Eton Church in opened in 1892, to be known as Eton Mission.

In 1906, with the church officers requesting additional management support Gerald Wellesley, a relative ·of the Duke of Wellington, offered his service to further develop the church boys club activities. Some two years later appreciating that the club was for boys aged 14 to 18 and that as there was no follow-on club for- them, they were becoming street layabouts. This being so and with the reluctant support of the Church he formed his own Eton Old Boys club. With the growing church Boys club and the success of the Old Boys club he co-opted other Old Etonians to assist in raising funds in order to build a magnificent clubhouse in Riseholme Street Hackney Wick, for the Eton Boys Club and Eton Old Boys Club. Gerald Wellesley continued to be the prime leader and organiser until 1920 when he became less interested in the Club. At this time Arthur-Villiers became the Club's prime leader and the club became known as Eton Manor. The Manor being added as the site was that originally of the Manor Farm. This by coincidence was around the same time that the club purchased and developed it playing fields "The Wilderness".

In 1927-28 Arthur Villiers nephew, Frank Packenham, later to become Lord Longford, then at the age of about twenty two became very active in the club and proposed that club should encourage rugby to become a club sport. With David Shaw Kennedy a club manager, having played at Eton and Oxford University, plus an ex army club member being the only members with some rugby experience club members were recruited to play. With the aid of the then club grounds man, an ex Rugby League player as coach a primarily Boys club team was formed. - See Club House photo and first season fixture list. Later majority of the team left to excel in other sports- Fred Mallin , seven season ABA Middle weight champion and a 1936 Olympic boxer and brother of Harry Mallin double Olympic Boxing Gold Medallist - Eddy Lusty , an International water polo player - Len Cunnings, County Water Polo - Bill Deane
,County squash - Fred Lee, a great all-round sportsman who later became a senior club manager.

In 1946, following the Second World War, the Rugby Club restarted as a very junior "Old Boys" team again with several members of the Boys club in the team. As other boys club members start to play, in 1948, Rugby became an official Boys Club sport. Several years later with the Boys club fielding two senior boys and a junior team the club as a unit began to expand with the Old Boys fielding four teams. Again the club produced some high quality players. Vic Streeter gained an England trail and played several games with the London Counties team. Tony Janaway, a regular for many years with Saracens.
Brian Goodchild, another Saracens man represented Middlesex for several years. In Brian's honour following his sudden death when he collapsed and died one training evening, the Saracens team played a memorial match against a British Lions team. Tony Janaway scored four tries.

In 1967, following collapse of the original Eton Manor Clubs, the rugby club became an open club. It had to find a new club house, training facilities and pitches. A few years later the club was able to move back to play its home fixtures on the original Eton Manor site, now owned by The Lee Valley Regional Park. Following the closure of the Rugby Clubhouse in Leyton plus the high cost of training and playing facilities the club had to seek new premises ultimately moving to the New Wilderness, our current ground in l996.

Since becoming an independent Club many members have gained County and Boys Club county Honours. The current Club Chairman, Paul Saunders being the first Essex Colts captain along with several other club boys represented the Essex and Eastern Counties in those early years. The Club retaining its connection with the London and National Federations of Boys Club enabled several boys to gain high honours including several at international level.

Other Eton Manor members of fame include Les Golding, Secretary of the Harriers for over twenty years, GB Athletic team manager at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics - Nicky Gargano, boxing bronze medallist at the Melbourne 1956 Olympics - Len Wills, Arsenal footballer for some eight seasons or more - Derek Cox, GB high jump champion, Common wealth Games 1954-Fred Grace, boxing gold medallist Olympic Games 1909 and quarter finalist in 1916.