Spennymoor United were formed in 1901 as an amalgamation of Spennymoor Town and Weardale Ironopolis.

In September 1904, the club secured the use of its present ground, The Brewery Field.

In 1905, Spennymoor United were admitted to the Northern League. They resigned from the Northern League in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League, elevating the club to the semi-professional ranks.

A League Cup competition was introduced by the North Eastern League for 1926-27, and the Moors lifted the trophy two years later.

Although the club never achieved the same national glory as their FA Amateur Cup winning neighbours, Bishop Auckland and Crook, the semi-professional club was the only one in the North-East to get as far as the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, which the team achieved in 1978.

In its history, the club has won the Durham Challenge Cup 16 times and the North-Eastern League four times.

It has also held the Northern League title six times