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Season 1923-24. Manchester League The Gilcryst Cup August 1923, Local Press. "This season should prove to be more than usually interesting in view of the improvements to the ground, which include the railing off of the playing pitch and ground, and the boarding around the ground. The enclosure has been banked up, so that spectators will not only be able to see the game in comfort on wet Saturday's, but it will avoid the unpleasantness of standing ankle-deep in water, as they have had to do during past winters, and before the season is far advanced it is hoped to have a stand erected. The composition of the team is the same as last year and all the old players have been welcomed back again." The Droylsden committee was now being run under the chairmanship of Mr. George Hamer, with the backing of Councillor W T Howarth as president. Mr. John Gillibrand remained as team secretary, whilst Mr. Albert Rush continued as treasurer. The season went well for Droylsden, which saw the club occupy a mid-table position at the end of the campaign, as well as a place in the final of the Gilcryst Cup. The Butchers' Arms outfit could well have fared better in the league had it not been for the fact that during the season, three players were snapped up by Football League clubs. First to leave was Hargreaves, signed by Oldham Athletic, who a few months later sold him to Everton for a 'large' fee. Hicks went to Manchester City, where he eventually forced his way into the first team, and Hooper was yet another Droylsden player picked up by Oldham. The Butchers' Arms was fast becoming a happy hunting ground for the big clubs. In early December, Droylsden played an away match at Lymm, and during the second half two of the home players - who were members of the Village Fire Brigade - left the field without further ado on hearing the fire alarm sounded, and 'rendered assistance to playing the hose on a haystack which was well ablaze'. The game proceeded in their absence and continued until the final whistle, whilst the two players, dressed only in their football attire, were still busy trying to extinguish the fire. Droylsden, not surprisingly, won the match 4-1. In another away fixture at Ashton Bros., Droylsden lost the match 2-3 and as the final whistle was blown for time, a disappointed Droylsden supporter struck the referee as he left the field. The following week Droylsden Football Club were fined £1 to cover expenses of the Manchester County FA in banning the over zealous Droylsden follower for the rest of the season. The final of the Gilcryst Cup was played against Glossop at National Park on Tuesday evening, September 2nd, 1924 - having been held over from the previous season. The following match report is from the local press: "At the close of one of the most strenuous cup finals ever played at National park, a well known sportsman remarked, 'If there are any cups to be won, Droylsden can be relied upon to put up a big fight, and they seldom fail to carry it off.' They had worthy foes in Glossop, who gave them a magnificent fight to the end. Seldom has a more strenuous fight been witnessed. It was clean, vigorous, and end to end; in fact, the real cup-tie fever prevailed for the whole ninety minutes. The players never held back, they gave no quarter and expected none. The result was in the balance until the very last kick. Of two good teams, Droylsden were the better side, their forwards knew where the goal lay and never failed to shoot. From every angle and range, Lomas delivered half-volleys, shots and hurricane drives, and had Taylor snapped up that glorious pass from Ormerod, Droylsden could have had victory in their grasp twenty minutes earlier. At the end of 13 minutes, Glossop went in front. Richards took a straight course up the middle of the field and shot at goal, Whitehead only partially cleared, and Richards followed up and hit the ball into the net. "After 19 minutes Droylsden drew level, when Williams sent Fog on his way, the Droylsden centre-forward not giving Newton a chance. Just before the interval Richards smashed a penalty against the bar and Whitehead easily cleared. Half time 1-1. The resumption saw Droylsden lay siege on the Glossop goal, and how that goal escaped was a miracle. After such a let off, the Derbyshire men showed their appreciation by Cookson adding a lovely goal from a shot that flashed into the far corner of the net. Fog missed a simple chance of putting his side level, but atoned for his error with a magnificent goal, from an upwardly hit hurricane drive. The game got hotter, but neither defence would give way. With the prospect of a replay in view, Droylsden redoubled their efforts. Five minutes to go, and Droylsden were awarded a free kick. Fowler shot straight at goal, Wild diverting the ball to Ormerod, who in the twinkling of an eye, shook the back rigging of the net. That goal settled it. The secret of Droylsden's success was their bull-dog tenacity, each player clung to his task like grim death. They gave the impression, 'This cup is ours at all costs'! They never eased up when behind on both occasions, and once they got the lead, they held it." Droylsden: Whitehead, Fowler, Gowrie, Potter, Wood, Williams, Birtwistle, Lomas, Fog, Ormerod, Taylor. Glossop: Newton, Wild, Howarth, Howard, Oldham, Boff, Scholes, Rogers, Richards, Flaherty, Cookson.
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