The club was founded by brothers and former Vale of Leven players John and Robert Rankine in 1879 as Irwell Springs Football Club, a works team for the Irwell Springs Dyeing Works. In 1883–84 they reached the third round of the FA Cup, losing 8–1 at Bolton Wanderers. The club was renamed Bacup in 1892, and joined the Lancashire League during the 1893–94 season, taking over the fixtures of Barrow, who had resigned on 20 November 1893. After finishing bottom of the league in their first season, the following season saw the club achieve a top-half place in the table. However, the club withdrew from the league during the 1897–98 season without completing their fixtures.