In 1914–15 Crook won their first Northern League title. In 1919–20 they were one of three clubs to finish joint top of the table on 38 points, alongside Bishop Auckland and South Bank; a three-way play-off was held, in which each club won one match and lost one match, with South Bank declared champions on goal scored. In 1926–27 the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time. After beating Workington 2–1, they lost 2–0 at Third Division North Southport in the second round. The season also saw them win the Northern League for a second time, but after an investigation into illegal payments to amateur players the following season, the club was suspended by the Durham County Football Association on 7 January, and their league record was expunged. They had also reached the first round of the FA Cup, losing 8–2 at Third Division North Rochdale.