The East Coast Swans Football Club embodies well over a century of football tradition along Tasmania's East Coast and within the Fingal Valley. The region's football roots stretch back to the 1870s, when local teams first began to organise matches, often informally, reflecting the community's enthusiasm for the game.

*St Helens Football Team August 1922 defeated Mathinna at Fingal.*

As the years progressed, clubs in towns such as St Helens, Goulds Country, Rossarden, Pyengana, Fingal, Avoca, Mathinna, Swansea, Campbell Town and St Marys became cornerstones of their communities, often participating in lively competitions within the Portland Association, Eastern Football Association, Fingal District Football Association (FDFA), and, in later years, leagues such as the North Eastern Football Union (NEFU) and the Northern Tasmanian Football Association (NTFA).

Throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, St Helens Football Club emerged as a prominent force, fielding teams in various competitions and at times achieving notable success. The club's adaptability was evident as it navigated shifting regional associations and responded to the formation and dissolution of neighbouring clubs. The 1950s and beyond saw St Helens FC compete vigorously in the FDFA, facing rivals like Mathinna, Avoca, Fingal, Rossarden and St Marys, helping to shape the identity and sporting spirit of the area.

By the 1970s through to the early 1990s, the region boasted a remarkable depth of football talent, with even the smallest towns fielding squads across Under 16, Reserves, and Senior levels. However, as the number of participating clubs dwindled due to demographic and social changes, St Helens FC recognised the need to evolve in order to preserve the game's legacy. In 2013, the club rebranded as the East Coast Swans, embracing a broader mission to represent not just St Helens but the wider East Coast and Fingal Valley.

Parallel to this, the East Coast Giants Junior Club was established in 2013, offering younger players greater opportunities to compete in the Launceston-based Northern Tasmanian Junior Football Association. This commitment to youth development culminated in 2021, when the junior and senior arms merged, expanding to field teams across multiple age groups, including girls' competitions.

Today, the East Coast Swans Football Club stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and the enduring power of grassroots sport. By adapting to changing circumstances and nurturing generations of players, the club continues to provide enriching football experiences, uniting the community and carrying forward a proud tradition on Tasmania's East Coast and Fingal Valley.

In 2025 The Senior Swans men's team added a second NTFA Div 2 Premiership cup to the silverware cabinet.