As far as is known from old records, cricket was being played in Great Harwood at the time the first England team went to play in Australia in 1861; the professional at that time was a man called Selby, the field being where the Employment Exchange now stands on Hesketh Street .

In the early 1880's the club was facing its first crisis for the ground was required for building; the town was fast becoming a cotton manufacturing centre and a move had to be made. The club became established on the Cliffe ground in 1890 and joined the Ribblesdale League in 1893. In 1900 a team captained by Walter Kirkbright became league champions and a field day was held to celebrate the success.

Unfortunately in the early part of the century finance was a real problem and in 1914 league cricket was discontinued by the club and it resigned from the Ribblesdale League. The Cliffe ground was lost, and a field described by the great cricketer R.G. Barlow on a visit as the ground nearest to paradise he had ever been on was gone, because of lack of support. Assets realised a sum of £132 and this was banked for use by a future club.

It was not until 1928 after a 13-year lapse that a cricket team was re‑started at a new venue, Red Lane, the opposite end of town to the Cliffe. In 1932 this team became Great Harwood Amateur Cricket Club, and in 1934 became the town club again. The £132 which had been banked was paid over to the officials and was spent on improving the Red Lane ground. But finances were tight. At one point, the club had two bats, a good one and a poor one, so when the team had to play away, the excuse was made that someone had put the poor old bat in the bag by mistake, making it easier to borrow a better bat from the home team. In 1936 another financial crisis occurred with the club owing £40 it looked like the end. A town meeting was called and a new Secretary and Committee were appointed. This small band of workers saved the day and in 1939 the team became champions of the North East Lancashire Amateur League.

1940 saw the club admitted to the Ribblesdale Junior League and in 1941 promoted to the Senior League when war meant that professionals were not allowed and the Junior League discontinued. Throughout the war years the club made progress and handed over £250 to war charities as a result of matches played.

In 1945 the club was allowed to remain in the senior league. With professionals again allowed, E. Hacking from Rishton was the first. Efforts were made to buy the ground or to secure a long lease but in 1948 negotiations broke down and the club was given notice to quit as the landlord was selling the ground for development. The choice of an alternative ground was very limited, and it was decided to try to make a return to the original Cliffe ground, which was being used by a local farmer for grazing.

Eventually the farmer agreed to sell the field and it was decided to launch an appeal for £3,000 to buy and partly equip the Cliffe ground; a town meeting was again called. Manufacturing firms, trades people, and a house to house collection raised the sum required in twelve months and the Cliffe was bought freehold in 1949. The wooden pavilion was transported by lorry from Red Lane and re-erected at the Cliffe, and in 1950 a wood tea‑room was built. In May 1951, the then President, Mr. Arthur Boardman, officially opened the ground.

The first professional on return to the Cliffe was Eddie Thornton from Enfield and he was in a Select XI of amateurs and professionals who played against a touring Australian team in 1950 when it was estimated that between two and three thousand spectators filled the ground.

During the ensuing years major improvements have been carried out. A new brick built scorebox was erected and the playing area has been extended along the bottom side and also in the north‑cast corner. A major event in the club's history however was the erection of a clubhouse combining the social and changing facilities in one building and the construction of a road around part of the perimeter of the ground. The clubhouse was officially opened in March 1974 by the Provost of Blackburn Diocese, the Rev. Lawrence Jackson. The clubhouse proved to be a success and in 1980 it was agreed that permission be sought to extend the facilities. This was granted and subsequently in 1981 the alterations to the existing clubhouse and kitchen were completed being officially opened on the 28th November that year by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Mrs. Jennie Jackson.

On the playing side, everyone remembers the two benefit matches for professional Keith Barker in 1975 when the club was favoured by a visit from the great Gary Sobers, and the following year when the famous West Indies Test squad including Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding, etc. provided a wonderful exhibition on a lovely sunny July day.

The club still awaits a further championship success for the senior side, although they finished runners‑up in 1975 and 1976 under David Edmundson, and also achieved the winning of the Ramsbottom Cup in 1990.

The second eleven gained success in 1972 winning the Ribblesdale League Division 11 and the Lawrenson Cup, also taking the latter in 1985, whilst the third eleven won their league in 1983 and 1987, with the Youth Team Championship successes being in 1962, 1989 and 1990 as well as the Brian Morris Cup in 1988.

At present the club runs three senor teams, also Under-18, Under-15, Under-13 and Under-11 Junior teams and the coaching of these young players is assisted by the two all-weather pitches which have been provided on the old tennis courts.

As a town club, every effort is made to keep the interests of the general public in mind and two events have been held annually for several years. They are a 6-a-side Knock-out competition and the Children's' Sports and Gala Day, both of which have been very successful.

The successful development of the club can be attributed to the hard work and loyal service of many people. Long may it continue.