This brief introduction to Darwen Football Club's long and varied history is based on the book "Darwen Football Club: Memories" by Paul Breeze.  For information on purchasing this book, please click here.

Pre League

Founded in 1875, when Association Rules were adopted, Darwen F.C. can trace its history back to 1870 when the rugby code was played at Lynwood. Having set up headquarters at Barley Bank in 1878 Darwen signed Fergus Suter and James Love from Partick Thistle, these two being the first of an influx of Scottish players into English Football and the first “paid professionals” in the game.

During this same year experiments with floodlights were being carried out. Darwen were the first northern club to achieve prominence in the F.A. Cup, reaching the quarter-finals in 1878-79 and the semi-finals in 1880-81. On the way to this semi-final they defeated Romford 15-0 in the Quarter-final. In 1880 they defeated Blackburn Rovers 3-0 to win the Lancashire Cup.  [top]

Alliance and League

The club competed in the Football Alliance until they were elected to the Football League in 1891. On the 4th March 1892 they entered the History books for suffering the heaviest defeat in the Football League when they lost 12-0 to West Bromwich Albion. This still remains the record defeat for a club in Division 1. Needless to say they finished bottom with just 11 points, and became one of the founder members of the second division. Having finished in third place in the 1892-93 season promotion back to Division 1 came after defeating Notts County 3-2 in a test match. (These test matches were the equivalent of the modern day play-offs).

This promotion lasted only one season and they were relegated back to Division Two. In season 1896/97 they achieved their highest league win, beating Walsall 12-0, and also set a record of going the whole season without registering a single draw. This feat has never been repeated in the history of the Football League.

In the early days, Darwen played in several combinations of black and white stripes or hoops with dark blue or white shirts, but during their first two seasons in the Football League they played in salmon and pink shirts, which gave them their alternate nickname of “The Salmoners”.

Darwen remained in the Second Division until 1899 when they were not re-elected. During this season they again entered the history books - for the most goals scored against during a season (141 goals in 34 games), and losing 18 consecutive league matches.  [top]

Into Lancashire

In the summer of 1899 the club moved to it’s present home at the Anchor Ground. They joined the Lancashire League in 1899, winning the title in 1901/02 after going unbeaten all season; they then switched to the Lancashire Combination.

The early 1930s saw the next “golden age” of Darwen Football Club. Wearing a striking new strip of red and white striped shirts, the club won 5 trophies in the three years from 1930 to 1933, including the Lancashire Combination title twice in a row in 1931 and 1932. In the 1931/32 season FA Cup, they beat Football League side Chester in front of a 10,000 crowd at the Anchor Ground and were rewarded with an away draw at reigning league champions Arsenal in the 3rd round.

Darwen’s part-timers lost the game 11-1 but their share of the gate receipts from a crowd of over 35,000 helped to pay for a new stand behind the Darwen End goal which has only fairly recently been demolished. After this match, Arsenal were so impressed with Lancashire sportsmanship that they presented their visitors with a set of their own red strip, which Darwen have worn more or less ever since.  [top]

Post War to Post Modern

The golden 1930s team gradually broke up and Darwen FC began to struggle financially. Throughout the 1950s and 60s they battled on in the Combination achieving little success.  The committee structure of player selection, allied with the lack of discernable tactics adding to Darwen's usual financial woes.

Then in 1972, the club merged with a Manchester League side called Clarence Athletic. This brought the turnaround of Darwen’s fortunes and they won the Combination title again in 1973 and 1975. This success was followed by an uninspiring period in the higher standing Cheshire County League from 1975-82 before Darwen became one of the founder of the North West Counties League in 1982.  [top]

North West Counties

Darwen started well in the new League winning the League Cup in its first year of competition, and finishing a creditable sixth in Division One.  This wasn't to last, and Darwen were relegated the following season to Division Two.

They only spent three season in the lower division, but after their return were unable to regain trophy winning ways. After repeatedly being in the lower half of the Division One table, the end of season 1997/98 saw the club relegated to Division Two for allegedly not meeting the grading requirements for Division One.

The following season, Darwen reached the final of the Lancashire A.T.S. Trophy (Junior Cup) for the first time in 50 years, beating Accrington Stanley of the Unibond League and Conference side Southport en-route. They met Morecambe, the county’s second Conference side, in the final they held the lead twice in a thrilling match that went to extra time and a penalty shoot out before the “Darreners” finally succumbed to the team from four divisions above them.

Unfortunately the cup run had a detrimental affect on the league campaign, and Darwen slipped to eighth after a promising first half of the 1998/99 season.  In the following season fourth place was one below a promotion spot, but in the following years the team slipped out of contention for honours.

Last season Darwen appeared to have won promotion back to the First Division after again finishing fourth, benefiting from the re-organisation of the pyramid system.  Unfortunately the club then learned the devastating news it would be deducted three points for unknowingly fielding an ineligible player, slipping to sixth on goal difference.

At the end of the season manager Stephen Wilkes left the club to take the helm at Padiham, and was replaced by local lad and former star Stephen Mullen.  He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, and a number of new players based within the town.  [top]