Non league club Droylsden, who haven’t played football since 2020, express their excitement at returning for the 2023/24 season.

After three years of absence, they will return to the non league pyramid in the 2023/24 campaign.

In August 2020, the club was forced out of the Northern Premier League because they could not recover from the financial effects that the COVID-19 epidemic had on them.

Since then, they have not played and it took them until now to raise enough money to re-apply to play non-league football.

Droylsden’s application was successful earlier than expected and they will be playing in Division One North of the North West Counties Football League, the sixth tier of non league.

The club will need to pay a lot of money for a safety certification in order to use the Butchers Arms Ground as their stadium next year.

They set up a page on GoFundMe where fans can donate. The page was created in early February and has already raised more than half of its target.

The £10,000 will be used to secure this certificate by ensuring that the safety standards required are met. The jobs include replacing roof netting and steam cleaning the stand.

The club will return to Droylsden if this certificate is received. Fans can expect a thrilling time as they have finally regained their club.

Long serving chairman and manager Dave Pace said to the Non League Paper: “We have done remarkably well to be starting next season, I thought it would be another year.

“First and foremost. I have to thank the North West Counties League. They applied on our behalf and really helped us.

“I also can’t thank the fans enough. They had every right to be disgruntled, at one time we were playing the likes of Oxford United, Chesterfield and Leyton Orient and then there was nothing.

“We are working together with the fans and they have backed up massively over the last four months we have managed to raise funds and the work that’s gone into the ground has been great.

“We’re starting at the bottom but it’s a massive achievement to be where we are now.

“We are just over the moon to play football again. I’m feeling at the moment how I felt when we played our first game in the Conference.

“I’m just as excited. It’s such an achievement but in different ways.

“Now the challenge is to put together a team that can compete at Step 6.

“There are local players that think they are good enough to play at this level and we’ve got an open trial on June 10.

“I’m giving them an opportunity. We also have our scouting systems.

“Our first friendly is probably in four weeks so we haven’t got a lot of time.

“I don’t go into anything halfhearted. If I’m not capable of doing the job then I will resign and let someone else do it.

“I want to move through the leagues straightaway like Macclesfield have done, even though they have a bigger fanbase.

“I took Droylsden to the Conference on a fanbase of 250 and built the ground at the same time.

“I would love to get the club back to where it was the ambition is to move up the leagues.”

Here’s what fans are saying as the non league club who haven’t played football since 2020, express excitement at returning for 2023…

@9597H: Very best of luck Dave.. ⚽️👍

@Topblood73: Brilliant meeting today @Droylsden_FC so much to look forward to next season. Onwards & upwards…. #forzabloods

@aurorafood21: Brilliant news , always a good day out 👏👏

@NSoul3011: It’s happend. We have done it. Can’t wait to get back on that terrace. Many years of memories and more to come. COME ON YOU BLOODS!!!

@cjgeorgecj98: Fortunate enough to attend the last game before COVID hit, decent stadium at that level. Glad you’re back

@CoachKartShyam: Absolutely brilliant news. Enjoyed being at The Butchers Arms with Paddock FC a few years ago and it was a wonderful venue with some great people around it. Deserves regular football being played there at a good level. Will be rooting for you guys 🙌

@PeterHull5: Congratulations from an old Droylsden lad ❤️

@afitzg13: Congratulations – all your hard work pays off! 👏👏👏

@JoshMcCluskey8: Incredible news. Made up for everyone involved with the Bloods. Good luck 👍

@Mr_Craig_93: Congratulations and welcome back

@PaulRoo6Times: Absolutely Brilliant News 👏👏👏 Chuffed for Everyone at the Club and Supporters 🙏🙏🙏

@AccyForza: Good stuff 💪

@gibby9790: Another Lancashire club back 🌹 Had some good battles at the Butchers Arms. Love from Accy.

@DavidLoweEFC: Great news, although I am an Evertonian, Droylsden was the first game I went to with my grandad who was assistant groundsman. Always had a soft spot for the Bloods and only team in red I like 😂😉

@STFCULTRAJCA: Welcome back to the football pyramid guys glad to see you guys back. From a Stockport Town supporter

@jordandavies09: Well done lads, hope it goes well.

@NashManBlues: Fabulous News The Bloods

@ColinDonald62: Very positive meeting today

@vmfootietrips: Great to hear how things are progressing….very positive for the future…

@homer742: Bought my season ticket

@zoglug: Looking forward to coming to watch some of these!

@2605NI: Looking forward to returning. Been a while since Mossley’s last game at The Butchers.

@RuddyNuisance: Droylsden versus Heaton Stannington is absolutely being added to my calendar.



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