"Much activity is being displayed at present, with regard to the arrangements for the forthcoming winter football season. Up to two years ago the Droylsden Association Football team did remarkably well in the Manchester Federation, and though the club was for some reason or other abandoned, an effort - and indeed a successful one - has been made to revive the club."

The Droylsden club was re-formed under an almost entirely new management structure, the new officials being: President, Mr. F Cawley. Vice presidents, Messrs A Beedham, J Hopkinson, A Wolfe, L Renshaw, T Greenwood, B Rodgers and A Docker. Committee, Messrs J Docker (chairman), W Taylor, A Gregory, J Lee, W Dellow, J Newton, J Byrom and D Lloyd. Joint treasurers: Messrs G Doxey and J Lee. Secretary: Mr H English.

The club was to continue playing at the Butchers' Arms, which had again been put at the committee's disposal by Mr. George Doxey. The batch of players signed by the committee included: Carless, Hutchinson, Smith, Webster, Lovatt, Gerrard, Lowe, Minns, Thompson, Hanley, Acton, Worrall, Gilmour, Ross and Spidy.

"This team" it was stated, "Will be such as to once again make a name for itself in the Manchester district. Whilst the committee, with the cordial cooperation of the players, intend to leave no stone unturned to make this season in every sense successful."

Droylsden kicked off the season with a 4-4 draw at Rusholme, though their first home match of the campaign brought a 7-1 victory over Urmston. The next two matches saw Droylsden collect maximum points with a 4-2 away win at Hooley Hill Albion, and a 3-2 home result against visitors Thornsett United. In mid October, Bollington came to the Butchers' Arms for what was to be an early season clash between the two top teams in the league.

The meeting of the two topmost clubs in the Federation created much interest in Droylsden and a large crowd witnessed the game. Webster began a fine movement, which enabled the home forwards, by smart headwork, to make their way to the visitor's goal, but when well-placed Acton put in a feeble shot, which was easily saved. Bollington broke away, the right wing being responsible for some fine work. A miskick by Smith let in Nolan, who was very lucky to open the Bollington account. Time after time Droylsden were unfortunate in not scoring, for all the play was in the visitor's goalmouth. Eventually, however, Thompson scored from a scrimmage. Interval: Droylsden 1 goal, Bollington 1 goal. In the second half the home team played up grandly, and added another couple of goals. Result: Droylsden 3, Bollington 1."

"At Droylsden, on Saturday. Ross started for the home team, and in the first minute Spidy scored for Droylsden, but was given offside. A neat pass by Spidy gave Gilmour a chance, but he was easily robbed. Lovatt started a neat effort, which ended in Spidy shooting over. The visitor's fairly bombarded the home goal, Worrall making some fine saves. For a foul on Webster, Droylsden were awarded a free kick, which eventually led to Gilmour scoring. At half time Droylsden led by one goal to nil. On resuming Droylsden further inreased their lead, and ran out easy winners, thus: Droylsden 2, Altrincham Reserves 0."

"Some extraordinary scenes were witnessed on Saturday afternoon at the Butchers' Arms Football Ground, where the Droylsden team met the 3rd VBMR men from Ashton in the Ashton Junior Charity Cup Competition. There was a large crowd of spectators, and the local men were well received as they entered the enclosure. The Federation referee failed to put in an appearance, and after a delay of 20 minutes, Mr. Eli Gartside of Ashton was selected to act.

"The home team forced play at the outset. The volunteers played better in mid-field and Droylsden were kept on the defensive. Gerard ultimately received, and Hanley shot over when a goal seemed certain. Thompson shot wide from a good position and Lowe got away, but shot badly. At half-time, the score sheet was blank. In the second half Droylsden scored early on, and ten minutes from time were leading by one goal to nil. The Volunteers then became aggressive, and Lovatt, one of the Droylsden players, was injured. His colleagues ran to his assistance. The Ashton players thus easily ran the ball into the Droylsden net, and the spectators, enraged at this, swarmed onto the field.

"It has been asserted that the referee climbed the hen-pens at the bottom of the field and reached the tow-path of the canal for safety; but Mr. Gartside describes that as all nonsense. Several of the spectators invaded the premises of the Butchers' Arms Hotel, and were ejected by the host, Mr. George Doxey, whilst a crowd of several hundred people assembled in front of the hostelry, they ultimately dispersed. The referee has reported the Droylsden club to the Football Association, and also two of the committee of the club to the Federation for alleged approaching of two 3rd VBMR players, and offering them 7s 6d per match, which is contrary to the rules of the Federation."

The Ashton Charity Cup match with 3rd VBMR was ordered to be replayed on the ground of the latter, and having lost the replay 0-2, it was Droylsden's turn to lodge a protest to the effect that during the game spectators obstructed play by encroaching on the field of play, and that the pitch was not marked out in accordance with the rules. At a meeting of the Charity Cup executive however, Droylsden's representative turned up late and the protest was dismissed. With regard to the alleged approaching of VBMR players by two of the Droylsden officials, it was not made known whether any punishment was meted out, though in January 1906, it was stated in the press, 'During the week the Droylsden committee have secured the transfer from Ashton Volunteers of Charles Taylor, left full-back, and are making overtures to two or three others connected with the 'Third.'

"At Droylsden before 200 spectators. Both sides were minus four regular members, whose positions were experimented with. Albion started in good style, and after 11 minutes play Eaton found the net with a capital shot. Droylsden could not get away, and after Walker had sent in a lightening shot, which was luckily diverted by Green, Shuttleworth added a second with a splendid shot. Droylsden broke away after this reverse, but they were quickly driven back. A foul by Smith almost resulted in disaster, Walker sending in a rattling good shot from the subsequent free kick, which Wild just saved. Half time: Droylsden 0, Albion 2. On changing ends the visitor's again had the best of play, and they were unlucky in not adding to their score. Eaton eventually added a third, Wild having no chance to save. Albion again rushed the ball in the net, but the referee gave a penalty for a foul, and Newton shot wide. Droylsden now woke up, and from a penalty Lowe hit the bar. Close on time Lennon saved splendidly on several occasions, but he was beaten from a corner by a header. Final score: Droylsden 1, Hooley Hill Albion 3."

Pts

Bollington

Pendleton Lads

Rusholme

Droylsden

Altrincham Res.

Hooley Hill Alb.

Poynton

Thornsett Utd

Springfield Ath.

Cheadle St. M.

Stalybridge Alb.

Didsbury Ath.

Urmston

Fairfield