The club was founded in 1964 as Halswell United Soccer, changing its name in 1999 when the national body officially changed its title to include the word football, and it is one of the largest clubs in the South Island, with over 900 members.

In 1967 the club entered the Canterbury Football Association's competitions for the first time, competing in Division 3B (which they won in their inaugural season).

New clubrooms were constructed starting in 1976, and work was completed on them in various stages over the following years, being finally finished in 1988.

Halswell United have strong teams at senior level in both men's and women's football.

The women's team has reached the semi-finals of the national knockout cup competition.