The league was formed in 1904, although 1905–06 was the first season. It was originally known as the Preston & District Combination, with member clubs having to be within ten miles of Preston. It became the West Lancashire League in 1908, and over the years the qualification area was gradually extended. At first it was a competition for minor
non-league football clubs, but from the 1920s the membership changed with the league including several
Football League club's 'A' teams. This continued through to the early 1950s. However, the creation of the
Lancashire League meant that some of the Football League clubs changed their allegiance. The West Lancashire League struggled along for a few years, until 1954 when it was closed down. The league was re-established in 1959, with a small membership of clubs from the Blackpool area. Steadily the league grew, and in 1964–65 it expanded to two divisions. The league had a rapidly changing membership, but continued to prosper, with a third senior division being formed for the 1998–99 season. The league now covers the whole of modern
Lancashire, plus areas of
Cumbria, Greater Manchester,
Merseyside, and even
West Yorkshire. A fourth division operated for two seasons between 2016 and 2018. In past seasons the league has included former Football League club
Nelson and the forerunners of current Football League side
Morecambe. ==Current members (2025-26)==