There is evidence to suggest that Altrincham FC were formed around 1891, certainly in 1893 as Manchester Broadheath FC they were founder members of the Manchester League. Their first season however was a disaster, with only two wins in twenty games, collecting only seven points and finishing bottom of the league.
1903 was an important year in the club's history as they acquired not only a new ground but also a new name. After playing on a variety of pitches in Broadheath and Timperley the club leased Pollitt's Field and decided, as the premier club in town to change its name to Altrincham FC.
Success followed immediately as they won the Cheshire Amateur Cup in 1903-04. They went on the following season to win the Manchester League and the Cheshire Senior Cup. Altrincham won the Manchester League again in 1907 by which time they had established themselves as one of the leading clubs in the area. The club then joined the Lancashire Combination but the Pollitt's Field ground had a poor playing surface and although it had a small stand and banking on three sides, the players had to change at the Woolpack Public House.
After numerous meetings with the council a new ground was developed on Hale Moss and the club moved into Moss Lane for the start of the 1910-11 season and have remained there ever since. In 1919 Altrincham became founder members of the Cheshire County League and found success in the 1930's, winning the Cheshire League Cup in 1932-33 and the Cheshire Senior Cup the following year, as well as finishing as runners-up to Wigan Athletic in 1935 and 1936.
The club's introduction to the FA Cup proper came in 1934 when they were beaten I-0 at Gainsborough Trinity. They had though already beaten a Football League side, 3d Division Tranmere Rovers 4-2 after a 4-4 draw in a 4th qualifying round tie back in 1921/22.
Altrincham did not take part in the immediate post war season but soon reached three Cheshire League Cup finals in four years, losing in both 1948 & 1949 before winning the competition in 1951. During the late fifties and early sixties the club's fortunes declined to the point of extinction until local businessmen Noel White & Peter Swales bought the club. Both men progressed on to become well known football supporters nationwide with Liverpool & Manchester City respectively.
The duo turned things around at Moss Lane both on and off the field, they appointed Freddie Pye as manager and Altrincham returned to winning ways. They won the Cheshire League Cup in 1963/64, The Cheshire County League in 1965/66 and league and Cheshire Senior Cup Double' in 1966/67.
After finishing runners-up the following season Altrincham became founder members of the Northern Premier League and during their eleven year unbroken membership began to build the reputation as cup fighters.
They held First Division Everton 1-I at Goodison Park, before losing the replay at Old Trafford in 1975. They won the FA Trophy 3-I, against Leatherhead in 1978 and reached two Northern Premier League Cup finals, winning in 1970 and losing in 1974. The Northern Premier League Challenge Shield was lifted in 1980 after finishing their final year in the Northern Premier League as runners-up.
In 1979 Altrincham became a founder member of the Alliance Premier League. This heralded the club's most successful period to date. Under manager, Tony Saunders and captain, John King Altrincham won the Championship for the first two seasons (1979-80 & 1980-81) but with no automatic promotion to the Football League they missed out by one vote in 1980. For good measure Altrincham also won the Bob Lord Trophy in 1980/81, for a league and cup double. The 1980's brought two FA Trophy Finals, losing to Enfield in 1982 and beating Runcorn in 1986. But it was in the FA Cup that Altrincham gained their cup fighting reputation. Season 1978/79 was the first of four consecutive seasons in which Altrincham reached the 3rd round proper of the FA Cup. This run brought victories over Crewe, Rotherham United, Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United and York City, as well as draws at Spurs and Orient and a trip to Anfield for a very creditable 1-4 defeat In 1986 Altrincham progressed to the 4th Round Proper knocking out 1st Division Birmingham City 2-1 at St Andrews, the last occasion when a non-league club have knocked out a top division club on their own patch.
Season 1990/91 saw Altrincham 'pipped' at the post for the Conference title and thereby Football League status, by eventual winners, Barnet It took the 'Robins' the next three seasons to recover from the disappointment and subsequently managers came and went as the winning formula was sought By February 1994 the club seemed doomed to relegation until John King agreed to take the managerial seat for the third time and save the 'Robins' from relegation.
The following season saw Altrincham challenging hard for the title, scoring over one hundred goals along the way. They also rekindled their cup pedigree by reaching the 3rd Round of the FA Cup once again, before going out to Spurs. However this proved to be a false dawn for Altrincham and in the following season, 1996/97, they were relegated for the first time in their history. A quick return to the Conference was predicted but life in the UniBond Premier League proved harder than expected, with every team raising their game when they played the 'Robins'. By March 1998 manager and director, John King believed that a change of management style was needed and severed all links with the club, stepping aside to let someone else take up the reins. This task fell to reserve team manager and stadium General Manager, Bernard Taylor. Bernard was not able to gain promotion at the first time of asking, with Altrincham having too much ground to make up on eventual champions, Barrow. However he did lead the side to the UniBond Challenge League Cup final, which was played at Chesterfield against Gainsborough Trinity, with the 'Robins' winning 2-1.
The 1998/99 season was geared with just one aim, promotion back to the Conference. This was achieved after an appalling start to the season, followed by a three month unbeaten run and finished with a nerve racking run in Altrincham were duly crowned UniBond Northern Premier League Champions at their final home league game after a 1-0 win against Emley.
Altrincham appeared to settle into the highly competitive Nationwide Conference and looked set to consolidate their position but a disastrous run of results, culminating in a 0-0 home draw to champions, Kidderminster meant that the Robins were relegated back to the UniBond premier League after just one season. Manager Bernard Taylor stepped down and the popular Mark Ward was lured from newly promoted Leigh RMI and appointed Player/manager for season 2000/2001.