Although only limited records exist, Britannia was known as one of the strongest teams in the VJFA.[13][14] After finishing approximately fourth in1884, the club approached theVictorian Football Association (VFA) for admission into the highest-level senior competition, but were denied after the VFA deemed the club was "too disorganised".[1][15] Remaining in the VJFA, Britannia finished fifth in1886, third in1888 and1889, and second in1891.[15][16]
After local residents established a new "Collingwood Football Club" at the City Hotel in June 1889, the club made a second attempt to enter the VFA in June 1889 as "Collingwood-Britannia".[1] This proposal had the support of twoVictorian Legislative Assembly members,William Beazley andGeorge Langridge, but it was again denied on the basis of the club being "too disorganised and amateurish".[17][18] The VFA did not object to admitting Britannia if Victoria Park was upgraded, but refused to demote weaker teams to allow for Britannia's entry.[1][19]
An image of Britannia's 1891 team, as seen atVictoria Park in 2025
Britannia disbanded following a meeting at the Grace Darling Hotel in early 1892 after the VFA had given assurance that a new team from Collingwood would be admitted, with Britannia members concluding that their club would not be able to compete against the new team.[1][14] The modern-dayCollingwood Football Club was formed shortly after on 12 February 1892, entering the VFA thesame year.[14][20]
One of Britannia's last-surviving members was A. Barrie, who was noted in an article published byThe Herald in 1931.[24] Another pioneer of the club was lawn bowler Louis Joseph Belinfante (1860–1954).[25][26]
^"ANOTHER SELECTION OF "CAMERODDITIES" FROM READERS". The Argus. 27 July 1940. p. 7. Retrieved18 September 2025.Third from left is Fireman A. Dean, then captain of the Britannia Football Club, but later to be first captain of Collingwood.
^"Alf DEAN". Collingwood Forever. Archived fromthe original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved18 September 2025.
