[1] A new club, Rossendale F.C., was to be formed by the supporters' trust for the 2012–13 season, but plans were abandoned after the main stand burned down in January 2012.

Their first competitive fixture took place on 3 September 1898 which ended in a 3–1 home win over Oswaldtwistle Rovers with Jack Read having the honour of scoring the club's first ever goal.

The Central Lancashire League Championship was won at the first attempt, a feat that would have been repeated the following season but for teams withdrawing part way through the competition meaning the loss of vital points which were to prove costly at the end.

The Second Round was reached in 1971–72 before a 4–1 defeat by Bolton Wanderers in front of 12,000 at Bury's Gigg Lane brought the run to an end.

The cup run of 1975–76 proved to be the last throw of the dice from that successful side as financial difficulties struck the club hard.

During this time Rossendale United played their home games at Droylsden, and despite all the problems had their most successful season for a number of years.

1986–87 brought a comfortable mid table finish, plus an eventful FA Vase run which eventually ended in Round Five at Emley.

The NWCFL Division One Runners-Up spot was claimed in 1987–88, with Rossendale losing out to Colne Dynamoes on goal difference for the title.

The extra cost of the higher league, combined with falling gates and increasingly poor performances on the field, led to the inevitable relegation back to the NWCFL in 1992–93.

2004–05 should have seen the club relegated back to the North West Counties League but an off the pitch reprieve saved them from the drop as they retained their NPL status.

Following a disappointing start to the 2005–06 season, the board acted swiftly to bring in former Ramsbottom United manager Derek Egan in an attempt to revive the club's fortunes.

Egan managed this and at one point a place in the end of season play-offs looked likely as the side embarked on an impressive run of results.

After a bad start to the season both on and off the pitch Rossendale found themselves at the bottom of the North West Counties League Premier Division (5 February 2011) and the voluntary board and backroom staff who had been running the club for around two years resigned.

In a statement from Steve Hobson, Chairman of Rossendale United, he said, "Those of us behind the scenes have fought tooth and nail, for the past two seasons to keep the club going.

[2] In June 2011, Rossendale United supporters' trust chairman Ron Ashworth announced the possibility of a new community-based club to be formed.