Located to the north of the town centre, the ground was first used by Accrington CC when they moved here in 1878. Accrington FC was formed in the same year and from the outset shared the venue with the cricket club, the football pitch being sited at the west end of the ground. In addition to the cricket pavilion the facilities for spectators included uncovered seating at both ends of the pitch and some uncovered seating and a covered seated stand on the west side. Following their resignation from the Football League in 1893, Accrington FC continued to play here until their demise three years later. The ground was still in use for cricket in 2005 although the general area of the football pitch, earlier covered with tennis courts, had been partially landscaped.