The league was initially called the Goulburn Valley District Football Association (GVDFA) and dates back to May, 1893.

[5][6][7] Murchison came into the GVDFA in 1895 and Kyabram did not join[8], but were active playing a number of friendly matches against other local teams.

[10] In 1910, Shepparton Imperials defeated Kialla in the East and West Goulburn Valley Football Association grand final.

Rushworth FC had a golden era between 1929 and 1940, where they played off in ten grand finals and they managed to win five premierships.

In 1935, Mooroopna FC pulled out the GVFL[14] and played in the Goulburn Valley Second Eighteens Football Association competition.

Kyabram then went onto be undefeated premiers in 2019, thus only losing one game since their 2015 GVFNL grand final loss to Benalla FC.