They started life back in the West Lancashire League with ambition to gain their place back in the North West Counties Football League, and they won their first ever competitive game 3-0.

Their re-election to the NWCFL was granted at the end of the 2009/10 season, and they finished 13th in their first season in the First Division.

In the 2014/15 season AFC Darwen were promoted through the play-offs, beating Chadderton in the semi-final and Hanley Town in the final.

Last season, AFC Darwen were relegated to the First Division North after finishing bottom of the Premier Division table.

They currently sit 11th in the table, winning six, drawing three and losing six of their 15 games played so far.

Town will be hoping to get back to recent league form after tasting defeat against Colne in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy on Wednesday night.

Longridge haven’t having played a league game since the beginning of the month, seeing off Nelson 3-1 away from home.

That’s a result that sees Town now sit four points clear of second place Carlisle City at the top of the NWCFL Division One North with eight games to play before the turn of the year.

In terms of teams, Lee Ashcroft will also hope to have Jay Hart, Alex Murphy and Paul Turner
available after the trio all left the pitch injured in midweek.

Top scorer Richie Allen was named as an unused substitute in Wednesday’s cup tie with Colne, having not featured since picking up an injury in the win away to Carlisle City in October.

With the international break in full swing, it’s the perfect time to come and support your local team!

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults: £5
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: Free

Programmes are also available free of charge on the gate.