CLUB HISTORY

In 1921, we joined the Football League as a founding member of the Third Division North.

The 1922–23 season was our highlight, as we became champions of the Third Division North. We secured promotion on April 24, 1923, with a 2–0 home win over Wrexham, moving up to the Second Division. This was the only time we played in a national league. To prepare for the new season, we toured Spain in the summer of 1923, where we beat Real Oviedo 2–1 and Real Madrid 4–2, becoming the first English team to beat Real Madrid in Spain. Despite finishing 21st out of 22 in the Second Division in 1923–24 and getting relegated, we managed to score against top team Blackpool and defeated Leeds United at home. In March, we also beat Manchester United. The next season, we finished as runners-up to Darlington, and since then, we haven’t competed at the national level.

Financial pressures continued, and on May 17, 1934, the Football League directors ordered us to close permanently. A new company was formed that summer, and on August 3, 1934, the Nelson Leader reported a change to white shirts and black shorts. However, just two years later, we ceased football activities on August 4, 1936, after incurring significant financial losses. The club endured a ten-year hiatus before returning in 1946.

In 1982 we became founding members of the new North West Counties Football League, joining the Third Division. In our first season, 1982–83, we finished 10th out of 18 teams. By the 1986–87 season, we improved to fourth place. However, when the Third Division was scrapped the following season, we were moved up to the Second Division, finishing 16th.

Due to the poor condition of Victoria Park Stadium and difficulties in meeting league standards, we had to drop down to the West Lancashire League. We played in the Second Division there for four seasons from 1988–89 to 1991–92, achieving a highest placement of 15th. After upgrading Victoria Park, we were readmitted to the North West Counties Second Division for the 1992–93 season, finishing 17th out of 18 in our first season back. In 1996–97, we won the Division Two Trophy.

In 2005–06, we finished 3rd and were promoted to the First Division, marking our first promotion in 83 years. We finished 20th out of 22 in 2006–07 and last place in 2007–08 but avoided relegation. In 2008–09, the First Division was renamed the Premier Division, and we finished 17th out of 22, despite winning just three home games, staying 16 points clear of Atherton Collieries.

On July 15, 2010, the North West Counties League announced our resignation from the league. We continued to operate junior teams and successfully reapplied to join the North West Counties League for the 2011–12 season. Mark Fell was appointed first team manager in November 2012 after Michael Morrison and Robert Grimes were sacked. Under Fell’s leadership, we finished 10th in the NWCFL. In Fell’s first full season, we were crowned champions of the NWCFL Division One, earning promotion to the Premier Division.

The start of the 2024/25 season marks a significant milestone for us, largely due to the substantial investments of time, money, and effort from Stewart Fort and Chris Price. Major improvements to Victoria Park Stadium are well underway, enhancing both our facilities and overall infrastructure. Stewart Fort’s financial backing has been pivotal in these upgrades. Meanwhile, Chris Price, now our chairman, has dedicated considerable effort to ensuring the club’s progress. Arron Ripley continues as manager, supported by Gerry Harrison as his assistant, with Garry Kay joining the team as coach.