Stainland United were origionally formed in the early years of the 1900's, taking part in the Halifax League until the outbreak of the 2nd world war, when the league was suspended.

Following the end of the war, the club resumed competitive football by joining the Huddersfield League for one season, where they finished near the foot of the table, prompting them to re-join the Halifax League in 1946, where the finished near the top in their first season back.

During these years, the club played all their home games at the Stainland Recreation Ground, on the top pitch that is currently the rugby ground.

In 1947 the club decided not to field a reserve team, which led to several players and officials leaving the club, amongst which were Brian Norcliffe, Bill Alway and Roy Upton, who all went on to form another team called Stainland Athletic, whose committee members included Charlton Norcliffe, Bert Jackson, Fred Anderson and Dick Nutton.

This new team made arrangements with Brooksbank school to play their home games on the school pitch next to the tennis courts, where they remained for the next 5 years until Elland council granted them a pitch at Stainland Rec, just below where Stainland United played their home games, on what is now their current pitch.

It was in 1957 that Stainland United folded, which led to Fred Price joining up with Stainland Athletic to become the main stay behind the club for the next 20 years, followed by Roy Alway and Roger Lumb who all helped, to keep the club running up until 1992, when a shortage of players subsequently led the club folding.

In 1997, former Stainland played Mick Severn, was instrumental in helping to re-form Stainland United, playing in the Halifax League, with the first team rapidly gaining promotions in consecutive seasons, along with a Challange Cup final appearance, and the formation of a second team in 1999, who also gained promotion in their first season, with both teams playing their home games at the Stainland Recreational Ground.