The club was founded in 1972 when a group of enthusiasts got together in a local public house and formed a football club which was called Chester-le-Street Garden Farm after the pub in which the idea germinated. The club entered the Newcastle City Amateur League that same year and played on a pitch in Low Fell, Gateshead, because no grounds were available in Chester-le-Street. However, after one season they were allotted a pitch at the Riverside, Chester-le-Street which was to be their home until 1977. In 1975 the Cestrians joined the Washington League, winning the Championship, the Durham Minor Cup and the Washington A.M. Cup. By then flourishing, Garden Farm moved to the Sacriston C.W. ground, were admitted to the Wearside League in 1977, and changed their name to Chester-le-Street Town F.C. the following year. Over the next few years they won the Championship and the Monkwearmouth Cup on two occasions. In 1980 the club moved to its present home at Chester Moor Park. The ground had only dressing rooms and a perimeter fence. So far over £100,000 has been spent bringing the ground up to the Northern League standards, so that now there is a 200 seater stand, covered terracing for 500, uncovered terrace, hard standing all round and floodlights. There are facilities for spectator refreshments and a clubhouse. New dressing rooms and spectator toilets including disabled were built in the Summer of 2000.

The club was admitted into the Northern League in 1983 and won the Championship of the Second Division at the first attempt and gained promotion to the First Division. After some successful seasons, the cestrians were relegated to the Second Division, but soon bounced back and are now going through a period of consolidation.

Chester-le-Street Club is proud to call itself a family club, catering to the needs of the district by providing football for all ages. With this aim in mind the club is currently fielding an Under 18 Junior side. The club is also proud of the fact that every season has seen a steady flow of young stars moving on to professional clubs, whilst others have progressed through the ranks to claim places in the First Team.

The club house facilities are also used by the local cycling club and ramblers.