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Season
1922-23. Manchester League Manchester Junior Cup At the start of the season the Droylsden committee was made up of: President Mr. Evanson: Chairman Mr. Kelsall: Secretary John Gillibrand: Treasurer Mr. Rush: Committee Messrs H Smith, W Stopford, A Stafford, J Ormston, J Jackson, R Rostron, T Cartiledge, J Lloyd, M Igo, J Walker, Walter Harrison, W Crapper, W Milne, and Mark Harrison. Most of the players from the previous season had been retained, whilst new signings included, Arthur Ellis (Glossop), Basil Blackburn (Mossley), Duckworth (Local Team), Tommy Mosely (Mossley), and Scott and West (Compstall). Droylsden's second season in the Manchester League was almost a replica of their first season. As the 1922-23 campaign came to an end the Droylsden club had again finished the season fourth from top of the table, and had, once again, battled their way through to the final of the Manchester Junior Cup competition where, once again their opponents were league champions Hyde United. Droylsden and Hyde lined up for the final at National Park, and after a hard fought match the game ended 0-0, and the replay was set for the following week. The correspondent of the North Cheshire Herald reported the replay as follows: "I have never seen a keener or more determined football team than Droylsden in this encounter. Far from there being a weak spot in the side, every man seemed on top of his form, bred with a will to win in spite of anything and everything, anybody and everybody. There were a great many of Droylsden's supporters present, hundreds wearing colours, some with 'crackers' and trumpets, all in good trim for shouting. No football team could have had greater encouragement. When the red jerseys appeared on the field there was a mighty volume of cheering, and when Droylsden's goals were scored the atmosphere was shaken. "It was a notable feat to take the cup from Hyde United, especially after the latter's fine record. Droylsden were the better team on the afternoon's operations. In a nutshell, that is the cause of Droylsden's victory. The game started amid a storm of shouting, the supporters of Droylsden being particularly prominent. A few minutes after the start, Droylsden came near taking the lead, Hargreaves striking the woodwork at the top left corner with a terrific drive. Shortly afterwards, the lead was taken by Hyde. Spilling swept the ball across to the centre, and Flaherty headed it along to the right, where it dropped at Taylor's feet. He was on the right of the net, and there were several players between him and the goalkeeper, but he promptly steered it clear of everything and landed it into the net. It was a good goal and received due recognition from the Hyde supporters. A little later, a fast low shot from Taylor was cleared by the custodian, and a free kick by Norman was headed over by Rogers. Play was mostly in the Droylsden half, but their defenders were playing well. Amid great excitement Flaherty struck the bar with a grand drive, and the Droylsden custodian assumed a rather threatening attitude towards Broady. Several minutes before the interval the Droylsden left wing got going, and the ball was passed to Beddell in the centre, who shot an equaliser, Taylor having no chance of saving it. Half-time, 1-1. "It was twenty minutes after the interval when the winning goal was obtained for Droylsden, Moores being the scorer. There seemed to be a little misunderstanding, a rare occurrence, between Kent and Parkes, and Moores took advantage of an opening to rush the ball close up and kick it past Taylor into the net, putting Droylsden ahead. This aroused wild cheers from Droylsden's supporters. A little later Hargreaves found himself with only Taylor to beat, and drove the ball right against him, it rebounded to the right, where Birtwistle met it with great force and struck the outer rigging. Just now the Hyde defence was having some lively work. Beddell headed against the bar, and Taylor made sure by conceding a corner. A free kick about eight yards outside the penalty line was taken by Milne, who drove the ball like a rocket, and it would have sailed into the net but for the fists of Taylor. As the end approached, with Hyde still in the rear, Parkes resorted to several changes of position, Broady going centre forward, Rogers right half, and Norman inside right. Broady made a great spurt, and Taylor forced a corner, which was headed away. When we got to the last two or three minutes it was evident that nothing less than a miracle would prevent Droylsden from gaining the cup, and almost on time the Hyde custodian fielded just under the bar a swift drive from Moores. "When the referee gave the final whistle, the Droylsden enthusiasts rushed on to the field in hundreds, shouting and cheering, and patting their players on the back. No good sport could begrudge Droylsden their cup of satisfaction, at having won after so many hard battles. The cup was presented by Councillor W Gilcryst, president of the Manchester County Football Association, who congratulated Droylsden on their display, and said they deserved the victory. The cup was received on behalf of the Droylsden club by the captain, Potter, who said that this was his first season as captain, and he considered himself fortunate in having the honour of receiving the Manchester Junior Cup." Droylsden: Howarth, Gowrie, Milne, Potter, Wood, Wilder, Birtwistle, Lomas, Beddell, Hargreaves, Moores. <Team Photo> Hyde Utd: Taylor, Kent, Parkes, Norman, Noble, Boff, Taylor, Broady, Rogers, Flaherty, Spilling.
"Enthusiasm ran high in Droylsden as news of Droylsden's victory in the Manchester Junior Cup reached Market Street. It was not long after that the victorious team and officials arrived at their headquarters, the Butchers' Arms, where, after being cheered and congratulated, they dispersed for a brief tea interval. On their return to the Butchers' Arms after tea, the players and officials boarded a char-a-banc, and holding the cup aloft, were driven around the town and district to much cheering. The victors drove down Manchester Road as far as the Half Way House, where Landlord James Quarmby filled the cup with brandy and champagne. Calls were also made, and the cup filled with champagne and other liquids, at the Morning Star, Moss Tavern, White Hart, Cotton Tree, Church Inn and the Railway Hotel.
"Mr. James Quarmby, an enthusiastic supporter of Droylsden Football Club, presented medals to each member of the team at a special presentation evening, held at the Butchers' Arms Hotel on Tuesday, June 3rd 1923. 'I hope these mementoes' he told the players, 'of the efforts you have put forward on behalf of the Droylsden club, will serve as a reminder of the many happy hours in endeavoring to earn them."
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