The clubs roots go as far back as 1882 and possibly even earlier with a recorded North Staffordshire Charity Cup game in Hanley against a strong Leek side(score 5-0 to Leek)who were at the time playing games against the likes of Stoke FC, Burnley and a
scottish giant at the time Queen's Park.
The club were playing in the North Staffordshire Federation League early (1890's). During the 1884/85 season Hanley Town and Port Vale met each other on a number of occasions, first a game in the North Staffordshire Federation League Cup which Port Vale won 1-0,then there were two games in he North Staffordshire Federation League Cup, the first encounter ended 2-2 with Port Vale winning the second meeting 3-1.

The fourth and final encounter before Port Vale went professional came on the 25th April 1885 in the North Staffordshire Charity Cup Semi-Final in front of 2000 spectators. Score (Hanley Town 1 - 3 Port Vale).

The 1888/89 season Hanley Town won the Staffordshire Junior Cup beating Smallthorne 4-3 in the final. Hanley Town were one of the clubs that entered the very first Sentinel Cup competition in 1892/93 season losing in the quarter-final to eventual winners Newcastle Swifts.(The Sentinel Cup competitions are still going strong today which provides much needed financial support to local charities).
The club also ran a reserve team which were affiliated to the Hanley Junior FA. In 1894/95 the club reached The Combination League which covered the North West, West Midlands and North Wales, the league being the 3rd tier of the English game at the time.
With Stoke FC(Stoke City now)turning professional in 1885 and Port Vale soon after, between 1885 and 1912 a number of Hanley Town players played for both clubs at professional level. The club seemed to have folded in 1912,but i did have a request from someone wanting some information about their grandfather who played for a Hanley Town side in the 1920'/1930's????

Meetings between Hanley Town and Port Vale-1883/84, 84/85
North Staffordshire Federation League Cup;
Port Vale 1 Hanley Town 0:
North Staffordshire Federation League Cup;
Hanley Town 2 Port Vale 2
Port Vale 3 Hanley Town 1
North Staffordshire Charity Cup Semi-Final;Att;2000
Port Vale 3 Hanley Town 1

A Hanley Town side returned to local football in the late 1940's.One game in April of the 1950/51 season against Low Hamil in the May Bank Cup Semi-final, the game was played at the Ball Haye Ground in Leek in front of 1000 spectators. Low Hamil won the tie and went on to beat Ravenscliffe in the final at The Old Recreation Ground Hanley. Low Hamil remained unbeaten in all competitions that season, soon after they became Leek Town.