Inverclyde AC were initiated in 1996 after Inverclyde Council brought together representatives from the local athletic community. These representatives covered the following organisations,

The Council...... Don Jamieson
Inverclyde Athletic Initiative...... Tom Tracey, Bill Stoddart
The Schools...... Brian Falconer, June Falconer
Glenpark Harriers...... Iain Cameron, Kenny Morrison
Wellpark Harriers...... George King, George Newman
Spango Valley...... Jack Lang, Janice Hendrie
Elite Athletes...... Chris Robison, Alan Puckrin

The chosen representatives of each organisation looked at various avenues in a bid to enhance the profile of athletics in the Inverclyde area, and decided that a "one club" approach was the way ahead.   This idea was taken back to the three local athletic clubs, and with the agreement of all three clubs it was decided to form Inverclyde AC to compete in track & field competitions, leaving the three clubs to compete in road & cross country events. On 23rd April 1996, at Ravenscraig Stadium, Greenock, Inverclyde competed as an area in Division 4 of the Scottish Athletic League. At this meeting Inverclyde AC was officially recognised, after opening speeches by the Provost and the well known referee John Anderson, to a packed stadium.

From that day the club grew in strength, winning promotion through the divisions in consecutive years to Division 1. 

After the initial first few years of track competition only, younger athletes in the club raised the possibility of competing with each other in the winter months, rather than against each other in their respective Harrier clubs. This idea was explored, resulting in Wellpark Harriers and Spango Valley AC agreeing to disband and join IAC with a view to competing all year round. At the 1998 McAndrew Road Relay, Inverclyde competed for the first time as a winter club, with club president Chris Robison running the fastest lap of the day, giving Inverclyde, an indication of the glory to come over the next few decades.

From the day that Inverclyde AC were formed, they have grown in strength, and have been fortunate to have collected a number of District and National titles on the way.