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Season 1897-98. Salford League Championship Back in Business After a seasons rest, Droylsden came back on the scene with a lot of new players, though many of the former players remained. The Haughton brothers were still with the club, as was J Hallsworth. Droylsden did not attract much coverage in the local press during this season, and though a few matches were reported, no league tables were published throughout the 1897-98 season. October 2 1897. Oughtrington Park v Droylsden “At Lymm. Oughtrington started before about 300 spectators. The home forwards worked the ball down to the visitor’s goal, but Booth cleared with a kick in touch. From the throw-in C Haughton made a nice dribble, but was fouled in the act of shooting. From the free kick Jones got hold and passed to Haughton, who opened the score with a beauty, Guttridge following with another a minute later. The homesters scored from a mall in goal. Half-time: Oughtrington 1 Droylsden 2. Guttridge restarted the ball, the Droylsden forwards passing being very clean, but the game was spoiled by repeated fouls. Up to this the visitors were having the best of matters. The referee had to stop the game for a few minutes owing to the spectators encroaching on the ground. The game proceeded, and the home right got down and scored a rather doubtful goal, the referee deciding in their favour. From this point both teams worked hard to the finish, Oughtrington Park winning a hard fought game by 3 goals to 2. Droylsden team: Dodd, Snape, Booth, Taylor, Hallsworth, Lee, C Haughton, Jones, Guttridge, J Haughton and Lennon.”
January 15 1898. Droylsden v St. Mary’s, Walkden “These teams met at Droylsden for the second time this season, St. Mary’s having won the first match. Owing to the late arrival of the visitors, the start was delayed about 40 minutes. Droylsden started, and the visitor’s forwards passed well, but the home backs spoiled all attempts to score, Holt clearing beautifully. J Chadderton got off well, and running down the field, passed to Haughton, who put in a grand centre, Chadderton heading the first goal for Droylsden. St. Mary’s equalised a minute or two later, the score at half-time being one each. St. Mary’s restarted, and at once got down to the home goal. Lambert had a few hot shots to deal with, but he managed to clear. The referee stopped the game 14 minutes before time owing to darkness. Final: Droylsden 1, St. Mary’s 1." Droylsden team: Lambert, Booth, Bridge, Lee, Holt, Taylor, L Haughton, Jones, Chadderton, J Haughton and Ford. Referee: Mr. E Leigh, Oughtrington Park AFC.
January 29 1898. Droylsden v South West Manchester “At Droylsden. South West brought their strongest team, Droylsden being short of Taylor and Holt. The visitors kicked off. After ten minutes play the visitors inside left scored with a grand shot, Lambert having no chance. Droylsden started and at once got down, Hallsworth scoring number one for Droylsden. The home forwards soon after this got in front of the visitors goal, a foul being given inside the twelve yard line, the referee awarded a penalty. Bridge took the kick, and made the score for Droylsden two. South West equalised soon after. Half time: Droylsden two, South West two. Chadderton resumed the game, and C Haughton and Jones got down well, Hallsworth received a pass and scored his second goal. Final: Droylsden three, South West Manchester three. Referee, Mr. Marsden, Weaste AFC". When the 1897-98 season came to a close, Droylsden FC were again disbanded, and the club was not re-formed until the summer of 1900. By that time, the need for the revival of the club had long been felt in the township, and when a number of enthusiasts decided to make a start, supporters quickly rallied round. A new committee was formed which, under the chairmanship of Mr. J Ashcroft, consisted of the following members: R McLure, J Harding (secretary), D Lloyd, T Ganson, J Pickerhill and J Heelam. Mr. George Doxey had now taken over the tenancy of the Butchers’ Arms hostelry, and he was only too pleased to place the Butchers’ Arms ground at the disposal of the committee. A call went out for players to join the club and many former Droylsden FC players were quick to respond. A new Droylsden team was rapidly put together and entered in the local Hooley Hill & District League. Amongst the new signings were: Ainscough, Lee, Sanderson, Hughes, Gresty, Williamson, Dicken, Haughton, Hyde, Chadwick, Hadfield, Hinchcliffe and Rowbottom. At the outset of the re-formation of the club, an appeal was sent out for subscribers to come forward to help put the club on a sound financial footing. Fifty people responded immediately to the call, and by the commencement of the 1900-01 season, the number of subscribers had risen to seventy-five. |