In 1898-99 the team finished 2nd in the table and all the players with the exception of Richard Lawson, a prolific goalscorer were re-signed. Lawson signed for Newton Heath the fore-runners of Manchester United. In addition the side was strengthened with the signing of Scholes of Little Lever and Baxendale of Attley Bridge.
In July, an ambitious Summer draw took place. Prizes included one week’s holiday in London plus five shillings spending allowance a holiday for a similar period in the Isle of Man three days in Blackpool and day trips to Belle Vue, Morecambe and Windermere.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chorley | 24 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 42 | 17 | 39 |
| 2 | Southport Central | 24 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 41 | 18 | 32 |
| 3 | Ashton North End | 24 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 35 | 29 | 31 |
| 4 | Crewe Alexandra | 24 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 61 | 34 | 27 |
| 5 | Stalybridge Rovers | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 53 | 53 | 27 |
| 6 | Stockport County | 24 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 48 | 42 | 26 |
| 7 | Wigan County | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 57 | 36 | 24 |
| 8 | Middleton | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 40 | 41 | 24 |
| 9 | Haydock | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 43 | 48 | 20 |
| 10 | Halliwell Rovers | 24 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 31 | 42 | 17 |
| 11 | Horwich | 24 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 27 | 47 | 17 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 24 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 34 | 80 | 15 |
| 13 | South Shore | 24 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 28 | 53 | 13 |
| 14 | FC Nelson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |