The club first entered the FA Cup in 1880–81, beating Eagley at home in the first round in front of a "large attendance",[2] but losing to Turton in the second.

On 14 October 1882, the Bridgeites visited Turf Moor in the Lancashire Senior Cup as the first opponents for Burnley in competitive football, winning 8–0.

Hurst "scratched rather than replay a match that they claimed to have fairly won"[8] and Astley Bridge was awarded the tie.

The club originally played at a ground on Sweetloves Lane, notable for its steep slope.

[15] In 1881 the club moved to Astley Meadow, near the Lamb Inn public house, on a ground that was shorter than the 110 yards minimum to host FA Cup ties and which led to at least one protest.