[6][7][8] Shillong Lajong was incorporated in 1983,[9] with the prime objective of improving the declining standard of football in the state, and to spot, train and nurture local talent.

[11] Nicknamed "the Red Dragons",[12] Shillong Lajong briefly participated in I-League until their relegation in 2017,[13][14][15][16] then top flight Indian football.

Headquartered in Shillong,[22] Lajong has access to the largest student population in the North-East and hence the footballing talent right from a young age.

[28] Though Aizawl FC caught most of the attention after their I-League title in 2016, it was Lajong who were the torch-bearers of northeastern football for a large part of the decade.

In the 2009–10 Indian Federation Cup, Shillong Lajong reached to the final but lost to East Bengal in penalty-shootout.

[49][50][51] The club clinched Mizoram Independence Day Cup title in that season, defeating Royal Wahingdoh in final.

[52] In June 2013, the club roped former Trinidadian international Cornell Glen who represented his country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

[62] Ahead of the 2017–18 I-League season, the club built a strong squad, signing Lawrence Doe, Abdoulaye Koffi,[63][64] Daniel Odafin, Saihou Jagne[65] and Asian quota player Oh Joo-ho from South Korea.

[73] The 2018–19 season was not suitable for Shillong Lajong as they were relegated from the league, after suffering a 1–4 defeat at the hands of former champions Aizawl in the last match.

[74][75] In that season, Lajong fielded an all Indian squad and appointed Spaniard José Carlos Hevia as technical director and head of youth development.

[89] In 2021, the club participated in the Shirui Lily Cup in Manipur, organized by the Ukhrul District Sports Association, from November 22 to December 4.

[100][101][102] In that tournament, Shillong Lajong stunned everyone winning the quarter-final match against defending champions East Bengal by 2–1, in which Marcos Rudwere Silva and Figo Syndai scored both the goals for the club.

[1] The club appeared in first home game of I-League at SSA Stadium on 9 November, after a gap of four seasons, against NEROCA in their 1–1 draw.

[215] Club's U19 team took part in, and clinched title of OIL-DFA All India U-19 Inter-Academy Invitational Football Tournament in November 2023, held in Duliajan, Assam.

[216][217] Shillong Lajong FC Academy was incorporated in 2007, with the sole aim to develop the game at the grassroots level keeping in mind the abundant football talent in the North East.

[218] Alison Kharsyntiew served as head coach of club's academy, and lead the reserves in Shillong Premier League.

[219] The following clubs were affiliated with Shillong Lajong FC: Shillong Lajong gained popularity worldwide after being featured in a FIFA Futbol Mundial documentary episode titled "Where football is number one in India" by FIFA in August 2013, in which club's history, fanbase and legacy were screened.

[232][233][234] Another FIFA Futbol Mundial episode was released later on 23 September in the same year, named "A dancing 'hero' in India", which was based on Shillong Lajong's Portuguese striker Edinho Júnior, who signed for the club on loan from then Premier League side Blackburn Rovers.