Glossop North End was founded in 1886 and began by playing friendly amateur matches. They entered the North Cheshire League in 1890 and introduced professional players in 1894. In 1898 on their third application they were admitted to the Football League and won promotion in their first season. They spent one year in the First Division, their best victory being 3-0 against Nottingham Forest.

They played in League Division II until the end of the 1914/15 season, and during this time reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup in 1908/09 before losing to Bristol City in a replay. Their Chairman and benefactor throughout this period was local cotton magnate Sir Samuel Hill-Wood who later became Chairman of Arsenal FC.

They ceased playing during the latter part of the First World War but were reformed by Oswald Partington MP who had been a Captain in the 1890's. Between the Wars they played in the Lancashire Combination and the Manchester League of which they were champions in 1927/28 and they also won the Gilgryst Cup on three occasions.

They again ceased playing during the Second World War and then rejoined the Manchester League. They won the Gilgryst Cup for a fourth time in 1949.

In 1955 they moved from their original League ground at North Road to the present ground at Surrey Street. Since then they have played in the Lancashire Combination, the Manchester League and the Cheshire League before becoming founder Members of the North West Counties League.

The Club almost went out of business in the 1990/91 season when their then Chairman sold the ground to the local Council and left the Club with huge debts. The present Board of Directors took over in January 1991 and have reconstituted the Club, reverting to its original name which had been abandoned back in 1898.

During the 1992 close season, floodlights were erected by volunteer supporters, with many of the materials being donated in order that the Club could qualify for promotion to Division I. Glossop North End AFC won the Manchester Premier Cup in 1997 beating Trafford FC at Old Trafford, and retained the title in 1998 with a 1-0 victory against Radcliffe Borough at Maine Road.

In 2001 they won the Derbyshire Senior Cup beating Glapwell in a 2 legged final, drawing 3-3 away and 2-2 at home before winning 4-2 on penalties.