The original Chester-le-Street Town joined the North Eastern League in 1920. The league gained a second division in 1926, and the club were relegated to Division Two at the end of the 1926–27 season. They finished bottom of Division Two in 1929–30 and 1930–31, and again in 1932–33. After finishing bottom of Division Two for a fourth time in 1934–35, the club transferred to the Wearside League. However, they spent only one season in the Wearside League, leaving after finishing bottom of the table.