In 1931, the club lost their Football League status and returned to the Lancashire Combination, where, following the summer reformation of 1934, they played on until ceasing all activity in 1936.

A new amateur club, Nelson Town, was assembled, playing at Seedhill until the outbreak of World War II in September 1939.

On 23 October 1882, a meeting was held between members of Nelson Cricket Club at the Victoria Hall on Scotland Road; John Greenwood presided over the meeting and enrolled around 25 members to the newly formed Nelson Football Club before a trial match held on 11 November 1882 saw the Probables beat a team of Improbables 3–0.

However, after enduring a month-long suspension from The Football Association (FA), the club ceased all operations during the 1898–99 season following a 3–2 home defeat against Ashton North End on 12 January.

The following season, they finished as runners-up to Darlington on their return to the Third Division North; since then, the football team has never managed to compete at a national level.

Within three years, continuing financial pressures saw the Football League directors ordering that the club must permanently close, following a meeting on 17 May 1934.

A new company was quickly formed that summer with the Nelson Leader of 3 August 1934 further reporting a change of kit to white shirts and black shorts; yet just two years later, Nelson ceased football activities on 4 August 1936 on the eve of the new season after once again "incurring a big financial loss".

Following their final game of the 1938–39 campaign, Town announced a first venture into senior football for the coming season as new members of the West Lancashire League.

Town lost 3–2 at home to Netherfield Reserves on 2 September, following a 0–0 draw at Astley Bridge in their opening game on 26 August.

Seedhill hosted for the Nelson Home Guard team members of the newly formed Burnley Wartime League.

Following the Second World War and a public meeting held at the Imperial Ballroom Carr Road on 6 April 1946, Nelson FC was re-formed, and immediately joined the Lancashire Combination in time for the new season — finishing 11th in 1946–47.

A fourth-place finish in 1947–48 was followed by the club being crowned champions in 1949–50 — scoring 125 league goals — additionally winning the Lancashire Combination Cup.

[13] Chairman, Alan Pickering, cited a lack of sponsors, volunteers and spiralling costs to blame for the clubs demise.

[13] Nelson continued to operate junior teams, however, and made an application to rejoin the North West Counties League for the 2011–12 season, which was later approved by the FA.

Mark Fell was appointed first team manager in November 2012 after Michael Morrison and Robert Grimes were sacked and Nelson’s fortunes started to turn.

[16] He led the side to 10th place in 2012–13 and in his first full season in charge, Nelson were crowned champions, earning promotion back to the Premier Division in the process.

Nelson initially struggled to adapt back to life in the Premier Division in 2014–15, but went on an eleven game unbeaten run to sit in the top 5 at Christmas.

Twice in the 1890s, fresh moves away were considered as Nelson looked at a site near Kew Gardens in 1892 and a field behind the Golden Ball Inn three years later.

[10] The Burnley Express of 1 May 1929 commenting on the record gate at the match which Nelson lost 1–0 stated there was "Glorious weather prevailed and City had one of their biggest followings, there being little doubt that the visitors to the ground were in the majority.

[citation needed] Nelson played their final home game at Seedhill on 28 March 1971 when a crowd of over a thousand gathered to witness the first Sunday fixture at the stadium.

Seedhill, having hosted the Nelson Admirals speedway team between 1967 and 1969, latterly became a well known stock car venue before its eventual demolition in the early 1980s when the M65 motorway cut through the area.

[19] Due to the costs surrounding the floodlight repairs, the club announced plans to relocate to their original pitch on Seedhill and preliminary discussions were held with the local authorities.

[21] In the summer of 2024, the ground received some major improvements with the construction of a new stand behind the near goal across from the clubhouse, alongside new concrete hardstanding around the perimeter of the pitch.

[23] The original clubhouse was also demolished and replaced with a new building and toilet block at the top end of the pitch which was part of a £250,000+ investment in the club from the new owners, Chris Price & Stewart Fort.

[22] The ground now also has a large screen placed on top of the clubhouse which enables match replays to be displayed along with a scoreboard, which was a rarity in the North West Counties League at the time.

[22] As part of the refurbishment the pitch was also upgraded with a robust drainage system installed to help keep the playing surface in better condition all year round.

[24] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.