Nelson joined the Third Division of the newly created North West Counties League - an amalgamation of the Lancashire Combination and Cheshire County League - in 1981/82.

During that era, Nelson also moved out of their old Seedhill ground, which had also been used for a variety of sporting events since the days in the Football League - including to host stock-car racing. The ground was sadly demolished to make way for the M65 motorway.

The club were transferred into the Second Division of the North West Counties League when the Third Division was dropped six seasons later.

However, after one more season, the club's ground was deemed not to be up to league standard, and the team were forced to play in the Second Division of the West Lancashire League for four seasons. It was a tough period for the Blues, and they finished no higher than 15th in that time.

After much hard work, the new ground at Victoria Park - known by the locals as "Little Wembley" - was brought up to scratch, and the club were re-admitted to the North West Counties League.

Since their return, Nelson have usually finished in the top half of the Second Division, and have been perilously close to promotion on more than one occasion.

A cruel end to the 2000/2001 season saw Nelson finish above Atherton LR in the third and final promotion place on the final day of the season, only to see the latter granted a replay of their final game as their opponents had fielded an ineligible player. Atherton won the replayed game to snatch away third spot from the Blues.

Former Blackburn Rovers coach David Hall took over the manager's role at the start of the 2004/05 season, and set about rebuilding a fresh young team. Hall was to leave after a poor start to the following season, but his assistant Graham Howarth took over and oversaw an incredible late run which propelled the Blues to a third place finish, bringing with it a first promotion for the Club for 83 years.

The club fought off relegation threats and maintained a place in the Premier Division for four seasons before administrative troubles forced the club to resign from the NWCFL in the summer of 2010. After a year out to regroup, Nelson rejoined the First Division under new ownership. With a mixed board containing English and Asian board members that reflect the diversity within the town in the modern era, the club now aims to build a strong multi-cultural community club that acts as a bridge between diverse sections of the community uniting everyone under the common banner of football and providing a pathway into senior non-league football for any local players good enough, regardless of their race or religion or background. Longer term the club want to re-establish themselves as the leading non-league club in the region and eventually regain the Football League place they lost in 1931.

The first season back was a transitional one as the new owners learnt about life running a senior football team and a 15th place finish was achieved. The 2012/13 season started with a new young management team of Robert Grimes and Michael Morrison and things started well with The Admirals racing to the top of the table. However cracks soon started to appear and a couple of months in the management team departed along with most of the squad. Nelson limped along for a few weeks taking some heavy defeats due to fielding what was effectively the clubs reserve team before manager Mark Fell arrived. He immediately brought stability to the club and an upturn in fortunes along with a host of new signings. Through his contacts he also established a permanent training ground and base for the club at Accrington & Rossendale College meaning the club now boasts exactly the same training facilities as League Two neighbours Accrington Stanley. On the pitch the side recovered to a mid table 10th position.

Fell's first full season brought long awaited success back to the town, a first league title in 62 years. Fell's Nelson were outstanding, scoring a remarkable 157 goals in 45 games and winning the NWCFL division 1 by 5 clear points. Nelson's Peter Wright became the leagues top scorer with 38 goals.

2014/15 saw the Admirals return to the NWCFL Premier Division, after a stuttering start the Blues went on an 11 game unbeaten run to sit in the top 5 at Christmas. But the loss of several players as the club eyed consolidation for the 15/16 season saw the Blues form dip and them end the campaign in a comfortable mid-table position.