They joined the Derbyshire League, but within a decade the Club had established itself as a top Midland League side, on one occasion finishing seventh when the top four were promoted to the Football League. And four times during this period reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup (today's equivalent would be the Third Round because the competition then had six Qualifying Rounds) losing to Aston Villa (away) 1-4, Nottingham Forest (away) 0-1, Bury (home) 0-3 and Southampton St. Mary's (home) 0-1 when a broken leg suffered by the centre forward ensured that Heanor played with ten men for almost 80 minutes, after a 1-1 draw at Southampton.

Since then, the Lions have played in the Derbyshire League, Mid-Derbyshire League, Midland League (four times), Central Combination, Central Alliance, Notts Alliance, West Midlands (Regional) and Northern Couties East. In 1986 they joined the Central Midlands and were the only Club to have held continuous membership of the Supreme Division since its formation.

In 1958 Heanor entertained Fourth Division Carlisle United at The Town Ground in the FA Cup First Round losing 1-5 before 6,511 spectators, and in 1963 lost at the same stage away to a Bradford Park Avenue side containing one Kevin Hector in front of 5,799.

The Club have one of the best records in the FA Vase in the East Midlands Counties League, twice reaching the Fourth Round Proper, but they have to begin the current season right back at square one after a couple of seasons of mixed fortunes in the competition.

Honours have decorated the Town Ground home at regular intervals, the latest being the League Cup last season won in a thrilling 5-3 finale against Ollerton Town.

The club this year joined the newly formed East Midlands Counties League under the management of Jamie Bennett & Jodie Caudwell.