[2] The Harriers suffered an early tragedy when the club secretary, William Mavin, died of an injury he received when playing for Morpeth Rangers in November 1885.

Drawn against Shankhouse Black Watch in the semi-final, the two clubs played out three 1–1 draws,[4] the first two ties both seeing Morpeth equalize with seven minutes to go.

[5] It looked as if Shankhouse had won through at the fourth time of asking, with a late winner in the third replay, but Morpeth protested on the basis that the goal had been scored after its players heard a whistle and stopped playing, giving Shankhouse a simple goal.

[10] The Harriers lost 4–2, but, as Ford of Sunderland had not been registered in time for the competition, the FA ordered a replay at Morpeth's ground.

This time Morpeth were the victims of a protest,[12] having won the original tie 3–1, and lost the second attempt 1–-0 after injury reduced them to 10 men for eighty minutes.

The Harriers, like many north-east clubs, lacked such resources, and turned to local football to generate income.

The club finished joint top of the table with Seghill FC in 1898–99, with 37 points from 24 matches.

A report that "it seems the old team's days are numbered"[21] was prophetic as the club resigned from the Alliance and disbanded.