Known locally as 'Bongs', the club was formed in 1881 and soon moved from its original ground at Garratt Hall to its home (until 2001) at Well Street.

In 1895, after winning the Lancashire Cup in front of 15000 spectators with England international John 'Buff' Berry representing them, the club was part of the northern union breakaway becoming one of the founder members of what is known today as Rugby League.

The club re-joined the RFU in 1911, continuing to play at Well Street and was the first senior club for future England head coach Brian Ashton.

In 2001 the club re-located to a purpose-built facility boasting 6 changing rooms, three individually drained pitches and a fantastic clubhouse including a 150-person capacity function room.

The new facility brought with it success on the field with the club performing well in the top half of Level 6 in the early part of the 21st Century, and in 2009 had the best season since the move winning the North/Lancs Cumbria League title and reaching Twickenham in the Senior Vase losing narrowly 8-7 to Cullompton.

Probably their most famous ex-player was England Head Coach, Brian Ashton. As a player he was ccrum-half for North of England, Lancashire, Tyldesley, Fylde, Orrell, Montferrand, Roma, Milan. He was an unused replacement on March 15, 1975 for England against Scotland.

As a coach he taught history and coached rugby at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire 1980-88. Taught history at King's School, Bruton, Somerset, late 80s and early 90s. As assistant coach of Bath, under Jack Rowell, he helped establish Bath as the dominant team in England. He had an unsuccessful spell as Ireland coach from 1997-98, Clive Woodward's assistant 1998-2002, RFU's National Academy manager 2002-2005 and England head coach, 2006 - 2008.