For decades it has been documented that Spalding United was formed in 1921, but research into club history has revealed that in fact, its existence goes back much earlier.

A chance sighting of an early team photograph on social media prompted some investigation and evidence gained shows that the club was formed back in 1905 following the amalgamation of the Fulney Institute and Victoria’s clubs was confirmed at a meeting in a local hostelry when it was decided that the name should be Spalding United.

A committee was formed and the home ground as to be the Low Grounds, but references were also made of games being played on Pinchbeck Road (Black Swan Field) which is now known as The Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

In the early days the club, fielding A and B teams, played in the Boston League and progressed to the Spalding and District League and to the Peterborough League winning a number of trophies and were runner-up to Boston in the Lincolnshire FA competition before a crowd of 4,000 fans. Their first honours, however, came in 1933 when they won the Lincolnshire Junior Cup. The feat was repeated in 1938 and they progressed to senior level and won the Lincolnshire Senior B Cup in 1951.

In 1952 the Tulips recorded their ground record attendance when playing Peterborough United, then a Midland League side, in a qualifying round of the FA Cup. A crowd of 6,973 packed into the ground and saw Spalding leading 2-0 with ten minutes to play but Posh fought back to equalise and went on to win the replay 3-0. Further progress followed with success in the Lincolnshire Senior A Cup in 1953.

The club has reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup on two occasions. In 1957/58 they lost 3-1 to Durham City and in 1964/65 they played Football League opposition for the first time, being beaten 5-3 in a thrilling encounter at Newport County.

Spalding became United Counties League champions for the first time in 1955, having been runners-up in 1951, 1952 and 1953. They joined the Eastern Counties League but were without success and joined the Central Alliance League. They stayed just one season before transferring to the re-formed Midland League in 1961. In 1968 they rejoined the United Counties League and won the title for a second time in 1975.

Spalding changed competitions once more in 1982, joining the Northern Counties East League. They were champions in 1984 but again returned to the United Counties League in 1986. A third title was won in 1988, a season which also saw them lift the Lincolnshire Senior A Cup. This time their success earned promotion to the Southern League and their first two seasons in the Midland Division saw them finish eighth and sixth in the table.

In 1989/90 Spalding enjoyed an excellent run in the FA Vase, progressing to a home Quarter-Final tie with Guiseley, who included former Leicester City and England striker Frank Worthington in their side. A crowd of 2,020 saw Guiseley win 3-1 in extra-time, having equalised in stoppage time.
Things took a down turn with relegation back to the United Counties League the following season. The club went into decline, but recovery came in 1995 when Spalding won the League Knockout Cup and in 1997 they were runners-up in the league, as well as reaching the last-16 of the FA Vase when they were defeated by Taunton Town.

In 1998 they finished third in the league and again reached the Quarter-Final stage of the FA Vase, losing 2-1 at home to eventual winners Tiverton Town in front of 2,038 spectators.

In 1998/99 the club won the United Counties League championship, the Lincolnshire A Cup and the Hinchingbrooke Cup. As UCL champions Spalding regained membership of the Southern League and competed in the Eastern Division for season 1999/2000. They finished in a creditable 15th position.

The next three seasons proved less successful and despite narrowly avoiding relegation they eventually returned to the UCL. Season 2003/4 saw a revival in fortunes, winning the UCL championship and the East Anglian Cup for the first time, beating Aveley 3-1.

The debut season (2004/05) in the UniBond League was one of highs and lows but too many defeats by a single goal resulted in the team finishing in 18th position, however they ended the season on a high by beating Lowestoft Town 4-2 to retain the East Anglian Cup.

The following season proved less successful and it wasn’t until the 2006/07 season that saw the Tulips return to the Southern League for a third time. But in the final phase of FA restructuring the club was relocated back to the UniBond League for the 2007/08 season, competing in Division One (South). The club then experienced a number of difficult seasons trying to maintain their status at Step 4.

The 2011/12 season started on a high with a partnership deal with top local junior club Spalding Athletic JFC, putting us in contact with age group football from Under 7s to Under 18s. Sadly, the season ended in relegation but despite this set back they aimed at a return to Step 4. In 2012/13 they narrowly missed winning promotion by one point but won the UCL Knockout Cup, beating promoted St Ives Town 4-0 in the Final.

The UCL Championship trophy, however, was brought back to town in convincing style in 2013/14 season with the title secured with four matches of the season remaining. Looking to build on the success of winning promotion to Level 4, the “Boardroom” was strengthened by the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer in local businessman and former player, Malcolm Gray. With the formation of a reserve side and a commitment to strengthen the club as part of the local community, the club look forward to the challenge of establishing itself at Step 4.

A return to the EVO-STIK NPL for the 2014/15 season was highly successful with the team always placed in the leading group and eventually finished in a very respectful seventh position in Division One South. The season also saw the introduction of an Under 18 team.
The end of season brought changes off the field with Chairman and Director Chris Toynton stepping down and a consortium of local investors taking up the reins with the aim and challenge of taking the club forward. Andrew Gay was appointed as the new Chairman.

November 2015 saw the resignation of manager Pat Rayment after almost four years in charge and replaced by his assistant Marcus Ebdon, who resigned at the end of the season. David Frecklington, who played for the Tulips at the end of the 1990s, and who had been at the helm of Lincoln United for the past three seasons, returned to the Sir Halley Stewart Field as Ebdon’s successor. However, Frecklington moved on in mid February, joining Gainsborough Trinity. His assistant with the Tulips, Chris Rawlinson, was appointed his successor.

The 2016/17 campaign evolved as their best ever, finishing in their highest ever placing in the modern Football Pyramid. The Tulips finished in third position in NPL First Division South, just missing out on promotion from Level Four when losing by the odd goal in three away to second placed Witton Albion. The Tulips had, in fact, never been outside the top three all season. In addition, the club had three players – Nathan Stainfield (for the third time), Michael Duggan and Bradley Wells named in the South Division team of the Year.

An Under 21 Development squad was introduced into the ranks for the 2017/18 season and they ended up as runners-up in the south section of the Lincs FA League. The successful senior team however, began to break up with a number of players moving to higher grade clubs. A reduced budget mid-season also curtailed manager Chris Rawlinson’s rebuilding plans to a degree with the Under 21 squad members given their opportunity to play level 4 football and they did not let the club down. A 13th position at the end of season was considered highly satisfactory.

Following an indifferent start to the 2018/19 season manager Chris Rawlinson and Chairman Andy Gay mutually agreed to part company. Assistant manager Matt Easton was put in temporary charge of the team but formally took over the reins towards the end of September. The season, however, was largely disappointing with the team languishing in the lower regions almost throughout and ultimately just avoiding relegation.