The club was established in 1945 as Hullbridge United by a group headed by A.W. Moss, the owner of the Anchor Inn. Playing in green and gold quarters, the colours of the Anchor Inn's flag, the club initially played in the Mid-Essex League. In 1947 they joined the Southend & District League and in 1951–52 they won Division Two and the league's French Cup, earning promotion to Division One. In 1953 the club was renamed Hullbridge Sports. Two relegations saw the club playing in Division Three by the mid-1950s, but they were Division Three champions in 1956–57, also winning the Shaw Cup. However, they were relegated back to Division Three two seasons later.