The ground was opened on 26 September 1891 for a Midland League game between Rotherham and Grantham Rovers.[1] It was located to the east of Rotherham town centre and consisted of a covered seated stand on the northern touchline, which had been moved from the club's previous Clifton Lane cricket ground and an open seated stand behind the eastern goal.[1]
In 1893 the club was elected to the Football League, and the first League match at Clifton Grove was played on 9 September 1893, with Rotherham defeating Grimsby Town in front of 3,000 spectators. This was also the highest League attendance recorded at the ground, and was equalled on 1 September 1894 for a 3–1 defeat by Burton Wanderers.[1]
In 1896 the club was voted out of the Football League and subsequently folded. The last League game at Clifton Grove was played on 16 March 1896 with just 300 watching a 2–2 draw against Lincoln City. After the club folded, the ground was subsequently used for housing.[1]
