The club was a founder member of the Alliance Premier League (later renamed the Football Conference) in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years.

The club was formed in late 1872 as Parish Church Institute, and in 1879 was renamed Wellington Town.

After World War II they joined the Cheshire County League, winning the title in 1945–46 and 1946–47 and again in 1951–52.

During the 1980s the club had several good runs in the FA Cup, reaching the second round in 1982–83 when they knocked out Third Division Wigan Athletic before losing to Tranmere Rovers in a replay.

They continued to claim League scalps, beating Stockport in 1985–86, Burnley in 1986–87 and Stoke City in 1991–92.

In the 2003–04 FA Cup the club knocked out both Brentford and Crewe Alexandra before losing to eventual finalists Millwall.

They folded at the end of the season, due to the business failure of owner Andy Shaw in March,[3] but the name was resurrected shortly afterwards by the creation of AFC Telford United.