The first Football League match was played at the ground on 10 September 1898, with New Brighton Tower beating Gainsborough Trinity 3–2 in front of 2,000 spectators.

[1] Despite finishing fourth in the Second Division in 1900–01, financial problems led the directors of the club to make a decision to withdraw from the League in September 1901.

However, due to the bomb damage to Sandheys Park ground and its subsequent requisitioning by the Wallasey Corporation to build temporary housing, New Brighton A.F.C.

New Brighton's first League match at the Tower Athletic Ground on 4 September 1946 was a Third Division North game against Bradford City watched by 7,500 spectators, which finished 0–0.

In 1954 the club was forced to leave the ground, but were returned a year later after being granted joint tenancy of the site alongside Wallasey Borough Council.