When Bob McGhee served in Europe during WW1, he was most impressed with the bulldog spirit of the British troops. It was these qualities he wanted in his football team and so he adopted the bulldog as the club symbol.

​From a humble beginning in a green galvanised iron shed in the north east corner of the oval, the club progressed to a volunteer hand made grey brick structure in the early 50’s, which served the club loyally until 1979 when the current premises were opened. The building of the new complex incorporated spacious changerooms and large clubroom facilities. The clubroom is over 400 square metres comprising of modern bar and kitchen facilities, stage area and newly built pergola to provide shelter during winter and summer months.

The club has played in the Glenelg District Association, the Glenelg South West Football Association, the Glenelg West Football Association, the South Metropolitan Football League, the Southern Football League, the South Australian Football Association and is currently affiliated with the Adelaide Footy League. Only one team was fielded in 1937, but since then as many as four senior teams have been fielded. For some years now three senior teams have been in operation.

The first under age team to be fielded was in 1956 when an U15’s competition was introduced. Since then there has always been some form of underage competition ranging from U12’s up to U18’s. 1998 saw the establishment of the Metro South Junior Football League. Plympton fielded two teams, U9’s and U11’s in that first year and has continuned to grow its junior football base. In 2017 all junior clubs became part of SANFL Juniors who oversee the Junior league. Junior girls was established by the club in 2018. Currently the club fields over 20 junior boys and girls teams ranging from U7s up to U18s. Many premierships and regular finals appearances have been a feature of our involvement of the junior program. In 2023 the club was awarded SANFL Juniors Club of the Year for their on and offield successes.

At the ‘A’ Grade level Plympton have won thirteen premierships, The club is currently in Division 4 and fields 3  Mens senior teams. 

Along the way Plympton has produced many junior and senior players who have gone on to play in the SANFL, mainly with Glenelg, West Adelaide and South Adelaide. The most notable player being Scott Salisbury who played 250 league games and captained Glenelg, he was also an All Australian representative.  

In 2006 former Plympton Junior Footballer, Bryce Gibbs was the number 1 AFL Draft Pick and picked up by Carlton. Since that time our Junior program has produced 11 AFL and AFLW draftees. Our goal is to continue to produce junior footballers to reach the highest level and also add to our thirteen ‘A’ Grade premierships.