Darwen is a town in Lancashire, so naturally it has a footballing history extending deep into the 19th century. Darwen FC predate the Football League, reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup in the 1880-81 season, where they lost to eventual champions Old Carthusians 4-1. An 1891 expansion of the Football League brought the club into the First Division, playing alongside near-neighbours Blackburn Rovers. In their first season, The Salmoners finished bottom, falling down into the newly-established Second Division. For eight years Darwen, a town with a population just shy of 40,000 at the turn of the century played in the Football League, including two seasons in the First Division. By 1899 their luck had changed, however. After a dreadful campaign, amassing a total of 9 points, letting in 141 goals in 34 games. In the offseason Darwen failed re-election, falling into the Lancashire League. Darwen FC remained a non-league team until 2009, when they were wound up.
