In 1961 entry was gained into the Lancashire Amateur League and the club's connection with Leigh Harriers began with the team playing at the Holden Road track.

1965 saw a change of name to Leigh Amateurs and a change of ground to the Marsh Playing Fields. That season saw the club win its first major silverware winning the Atherton Charity Cup with players such as Rick Wilson, Ted Roberts and Kenny Beckinsale in the team.

The 1990's brought the club its most successful decade, under the management of Ted Roberts. The club moved grounds again to Leigh College and then back home to Madely park track. The club won the Lancashire Amateur Premier League five times in six seasons and won the League Cup twice.The treble was completed in 1998 as the prestigious Wigan Cup was added.

The 1990's team comprising Gordon Walker,Danny Wilson,Rick Wilson and Gordon Spowart then entered the Manchester League and won the First division title in its first season under the management of Andy Pickles. Following seasons saw 3rd and 4th place finishes in the Premier league before Dave Mort took over the first team reigns at the start of the 2005/2006 season. With a new young side Dave took the coveted Gilgryst Cup in his first season with a 2-1 final win over East Manchester.

Dave stood down at the start of the 2007 season and Rick Wilson became 1st team manager after managing the second team.

The team finished a very creditable 5th in the league and lost the final of the Gilgryst cup in 'never to be forgotten' circumstances.

2008 saw the opening of the Leigh Sports Village and a switch to an outstanding brand new venue for both Leigh Harriers and Athletic. Unfortunately the club was not able to sustain the previous level of success and over the following 10 years low Premier placings and high division 1 placings as detailed below:

2008 14/18 Prem
2009 14/18 Prem
2010 14/16 Prem relegated
2011 3rd Division 1 promoted
2012 Bottom Prem relegated
2013 6/12 Division 1
2014 7/12 Division 1
2015 5/13 Division 1
2016 10/19 Division 1
2017 9/12 Division 1 Danny Jones joined the club as First Team Manager bringing with him many new players and supporting coaches. Unfortunately the appointment did not work for both parties and a parting of company was agreed.
2018-19 club stalwart Chris Wilcock took the managerial reins to bring the club together and a good run of results after the turn of the year helped to ensure division 1 survival.
2019 after a series of meetings with Leigh Genesis a partnership was formed and Rob Appleton took over the role as Chair and Craig Dean was appointed as Manager.

Club admin was significantly changed and improved and the club achieved Charter Standard Adult Status. Unfortunately results were not kind and the season was ended early by the Coronavirus.
2020 Athletic joined Genesis to create an adult football club comprising once again 5 teams. 3 in Manchester league and 2 playing Sunday in the South Lancs Counties making it one of the biggest adult clubs in the area.