 Like many sports clubs in the Royal Burgh of Tain, several early incarnations of football teams adopted the name of Saint Duthac, the patron saint of Tain.Prior to the formalization of St. Duthus FC as an association football club, various combinations began playing informal association or rugby football matches using the St. Duthus name from the 1870s onwards.Officially formed in 1885 as an offshoot of St Duthus Cricket Club, St. Duthus Football Club began their existence under the association code by playing friendly matches against neighbouring towns and villages as founder members of the Ross-shire branch of the Scottish Junior Football Association.