In the early years of Association Football it was assumed that disputes could be adequately settled by discussion between gentlemen players who would never deliberately commit a foul. However, as play became more competitive, the need for officials grew. Initially there existed two umpires, one per team, who could be appealed to with the referee (the game's timekeeper) being "referred" to if the umpires couldn't agree.

The promotion of referees to the dominant position they occupy today, and the reformation of umpires into the linesmen role, occurred as part of a major restructuring of the laws in 1891.

The Wellingborough Rushden and District branch was formed after the war in 1946. Monthly meetings were held alternately between Wellingborough and Rusden. Members were fined one shilling (5p) for non attendance at meetings.

The Wellingborough venues were: The Co-op Club in Newcommen Road, Conservative Club and Wellingborough Whitworths. The venues in Rushden were: Rushden Boys School Library, Windmill Club and Rushden Town F.C. Social club. In 1995 it was agreed to hold all meetings at the new Rushden and Diamonds ground at Nene Park in Irthlingborough. This attracted high membership and high attendances at meetings which allowed the committee to arrange some high class speakers including Premier Referee Dermott Gallagher from Banbury. The final venue for meetings was just along the A6 in Finedon at Kennedy’s .

The local branches had their own assessing panel and ran the Assessing programme for promotion from 7 to 6 (3 to 2 in old money) and recommending candidates for level 5 (1). The Branches also organised the Coaching programme for new Referees. Brian Hill came through this system and made his way on to the old Football League and was also included on the panel for the newly formed Premier League. He was also a F.I.F.A. Referee which involved him going all over the world to referee.

The Association was the first in the area to organise a Summer Sunday Coaching day, which was held at Weavers Road Sports Centre in Wellingborough, this involved some high class F.A. Speakers and Coaches. This idea was later taken on by the Northants F.A. who did a similar exercise at Raunds Town.

In 2013 numbers were very low which made engaging speakers very difficult, but the Association struggled on into 2015 before finally folding.