Dereham Town Football Club was founded in 1884, spending many of its early years in the local Norwich District and the Dereham & District Leagues. During these early years, the Club made its one and only appearance in the Norfolk Senior Cup Final, when they lost to C.E.Y.M.S., in 1891-92. Until 1965, the Club played in the Norfolk and Suffolk League prior to the formation of the Anglian Combination. In that transitional season Dereham Town won the Senior 'B' Division. In 1988-89 Dereham Town was relegated from the Premier Division of the Anglian Combination, thus losing their proud record of being the only Club to have never played outside the Premier Division since the League's formation in 1965. The following season Premier Division status was regained when the Division One title was claimed.

In 1991, the Club purchased a 10.2-acre site on the outskirts of the town, with the view to providing facilities to enable progression to a higher grade of football. On the field, in 1993-94, the Senior Knockout Cup was won for the first time when Wymondham Town were comprehensively beaten 3-0 in the Final. December 1996 saw the club move from its previous home on the Council owned Recreation Ground into the plush surrounding of the new site at Aldiss Park. The Club's first full season at Aldiss Park (1997/98) saw the dream become reality when Eastern Counties League status was achieved with the club winning a first Anglian Combination Premier Division title. This was achieved by going undefeated for the first twenty-two League games and remaining undefeated all season away from Aldiss Park. Not content with just the League title, the club also won the Don Frost Memorial Cup. The Club's opening season in Eastern Counties League football (1998/99) saw the club finish seventh in Division One and reach the inaugural Division One Knockout Cup Final where League Champions Clacton Town beat us. The Club also received the annual Jewson Sportsmanship Trophy. Season 1999/2000 saw the First Team again finish seventh in Division One whilst the Reserves were crowned Champions of Anglian Combination Division Three. For the second year running the Club again won the Jewson Sportsmanship Trophy.

At the start of season 2000/2001, Norwich City Football Club visited Aldiss Park for a pre-season friendly and although the 'Magpies' lost 9-0, a new record attendance of 1800 was established. That season saw the First Team secure promotion to the (then) Jewson Premier Division. For the third year in succession, the Club received the Jewson Sportsmanship Trophy, along with the hospitality award and match day programme award.

In early July 2001, Norwich City again graced Aldiss Park with their presence and for the second year in succession a new record attendance was set for Aldiss Park, this time over 3000 witnessed a 3-0 win for the Canaries. Their first season in the Premier Division saw Dereham finish in a creditable 12^th position. In July 2002, Norwich City returned to Aldiss Park for their third consecutive pre-season friendly and in front of 2500+ spectators the Canaries won 4-0. In the League Dereham finished the season four points above the third relegation spot, ensuring Premier Division football for another year.

Season 2003/04 was a difficult one for the Magpies with a change of management team in October and the constant threat of relegation. However, with everyone working together and by virtue of some committed team displays relegation was avoided. Robert Taylor replaced Simon Barnes in January 2005 with a brief to retain the Club’s Premier Division status. With a much-improved second half to the season safety was achieved with two games to spare and an eventual 15^th spot in the League.

Norwich City again graced Aldiss Park in July 2005 when almost 3000 spectators saw the Canaries overcome the Magpies 6-0. In the League an inconsistent first-half of the season was followed by an excellent second-half which saw Dereham suffer only three defeats from mid-December and which culminated in the winning of the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road, where Norwich United were defeated 1-0. Eventual twelfth place in the League equalled the Club’s highest ever finish in the top division.

Season 2006/2007 was the most successful in the Club’s history. The Norfolk Senior Cup was retained with a 1-0 victory over eventual League Champions Wroxham at Carrow Road, sixth spot in the League was our highest ever finish and our Under-18’s claimed the Ridgeons Youth Cup with a 3-1 victory against Blackstones. The Club was also awarded the Ridgeons ‘Integrity in Football’ trophy at the League’s Annual Dinner. Not to be outdone our Reserves narrowly missed out on promotion, following their battle to avoid relegation the previous season and our newly formed Women’s team finished in a very creditable 5^th place in the Norfolk Women’s & Girls League, with a very young side. Also in their first season Dereham Veterans won the Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans Division Six title, losing only two matches. Perhaps the only negative was the disbanding of our A side mid-way through the season following problems with player availability and eligibility. However the A team has been accepted back into the Central & South Norfolk League for the forthcoming season.