Season 1935-36. Manchester LeagueNo Room For Two Clubs Droylsden went ahead with yet more ground improvements during the summer of 1935. In June, the pitch was entirely dug up, made more porous, and grass seeds were sown, with the result that the playing area was now surfaced with grass for the first time in the clubs history. New offices and a reception room had been built and the provision of turnstiles was under consideration. New players had been signed to augment the existing playing staff, and the club was looking forward to a good season. Droylsden were to be governed this season by, Councillor G Dale (President), R. Ellis (Chairman), J Johnson (Secretary), A Turner (Treasurer), H Norcross (Financial Secretary). Committee:- Messrs, J Bertenshaw, W Crowther, R Rothwell, J Welch, J Stansfield, J Hales, T Storey and H Cole. Blackpool’s ‘A’ team (who had been sharing Droylsden’s ground) had been withdrawn from the Manchester League, though Droylsden’s ground-sharing policy continued when the newly-formed Droylsden United – who had been entered in the South-East Lancashire League – stepped in to take the place of Blackpool. Droylsden FC, for all their hopes and aspirations, didn’t have a particularly good season, going out of all cup competitions in the early rounds and finishing their League programme around the mid-table mark. Though by that time, a bitter feud had developed between Droylsden FC and their ground sharing companions, Droylsden United. In February 1936, matters came to a head when a special meeting was called to try and settle the differences between the two clubs. The meeting, held at the Salisbury Conservative Club, was attended by officials from both clubs. At the heart of the dispute, was the feeling by Droylsden FC that the newly-formed Droylsden United were trying to oust the old club, and push themselves forward as the town’s top Football Club. The Manchester League club had objected to United’s application to join the Lancashire Combination and friction resulted. The meeting opened with an address by the president of Droylsden FC, Councillor Dale, who remarked, “It seems to me that Droylsden United are running in opposition to the old club, which is unfair. We have let this other club have the use of our ground for a nominal fee but they do not stump up when we have to pay our bills.” Droylsden secretary, Mr. Johnson, “Droylsden FC is in an infinitely better position than it was three season’s ago. The ground and accommodation has improved tremendously and the Butchers’ Arms is now fit for higher-class football. We intend to go in for higher-class football next season, and it wont be in the South-East Lancashire League. Three years ago, when the ground was in a very unfit state, no one wanted to play on it. However, since it has been renovated we have not been short of applications. Where have those people been in the past three years, who now want to take the place of our club? Droylsden FC have been the pioneers of football in this district, and that should not be forgotten!” Droylsden United president, Mr. Simcock, “It is unfortunate that Droylsden FC should adopt a crying attitude because another club has arose. When a business man receives competition he must go ahead and fight, not sit on his doorstep crying! We have done nothing to try and oust Droylsden FC, indeed we have helped them by providing £12 toward the ground rent. We are getting privileges, but I don’t want it spreading around that we are bloodsuckers. I consider that suggestion outrageous!” Droylsden FC treasurer, “I have had to go on bended knees to get money out of Droylsden United!” Mr. Jack Welch, Droylsden FC committee, “Droylsden United hit us below the belt when they made an application for the Lancashire Combination. We have put our time and labour into improving the ground and now they want the benefit of it. They have hit us below the belt from the beginning, I could mention many incidents!” Mr. Simcock, “Conceal nothing!” Mr. Welch, “Two weeks ago we had a cup-tie and you arranged a friendly in order to take some of the gate. There has been friction right and left. There is no room for two clubs in Droylsden!” County Councillor Newton said he knew nothing about football, but was pleased with the spirit shown by both sides, “What does it matter what comes from where; all that is wanted is good football in the district. I agree with the chairman, Droylsden FC have put a lot of work into the ground, and we must realise when someone wants to come along and pinch it, though I use the word advisedly.” Councillor Hartwell said he felt some sort of cohesion between the two clubs would be desirable. There was no room for two clubs and they should sink their differences and amalgamate. Mr. Simcock replied that he was not averse to Droylsden FC; he had no personal animosity whatsoever for Droylsden and was not out to do the club down. He added he was prepared to sink any differences, though regarding the question of the two clubs amalgamating, he could not speak for the Droylsden United committee, and a meeting with them would have to be arranged. Members of the committee of Droylsden United met and discussed the situation the following Tuesday evening, and the general feeling was that no good would be gained by an amalgamation. It was stressed that Droylsden United were not trying to oust Droylsden FC as the town’s top club, and as United were making headway in their own right, they saw no point in amalgamating. The committee unanimously turned down the suggestion, saying that if Droylsden FC wanted to get ahead, they must learn to push themselves. The Droylsden FC committee had now decided that the time had come to move the club a step forward, and an application to join the Lancashire Combination was put into motion. However, shortly after Droylsden FC released news regarding their intentions, Droylsden United released news of their plans for the coming season. On May 16, Mr. J Barlow, secretary of Droylsden United, informed the local press that the club had also applied to join the Lancashire Combination, whilst an even more ambitious application had been made to enter the Cheshire County League. And they were pinning their hopes on the Cheshire League application being granted. There were four clubs applying for three vacancies in the Combination – Gt Harwood, Prescot Cables, Droylsden FC and Droylsden United. Whilst the Cheshire League had just one vacancy to be filled, and the only applicant had been Droylsden United, who were now going ahead with building their own ground in Medlock street. Droylsden FC had considered applying for the vacancy in the Cheshire League but on second thoughts, decided to apply for the Combination. The Cheshire County League held its closing meeting for season 1935-6 at the Grovesnor Hotel, Manchester, on Monday May 25, and it was here that representatives of Droylsden United put their case for membership of the Cheshire League. Officials of the club declared they had taken six acres of land in the centre of the town and their ground improvement schemes, when completed, would enable them to accommodate 25,000 people. The club was spending £1,000 on these improvements. They were building a stand – with washing accommodation and dressing-rooms on the ground. They had leased the ground for five years and were paying £15 per year rent, with the option of renewing for a longer period after five years. When asked about their proposed wage bill, they said they estimated to pay £25 per week for players. The United representatives then assured the meeting that no position had been offered them in the Lancashire Combination. After a long discussion by the Cheshire League committee, it was decided not to elect Droylsden United. The League felt the club had not had sufficient experience of professional football, and therefore they could not be accepted into the Cheshire League. They advised the United Board to try and make good and apply again when they had gained more experience. It was then agreed to advertise for clubs – the vacancy to be filled at a later meeting. On June 6, at a meeting of the Lancashire Combination, the four applicants for election were in attendance as the results of the voting were read out. Prescott Cables had polled 18 votes; Droylsden FC, 16 votes, Gt Harwood, 12 votes and Droylsden United, 11 votes. Therefore, Prescott Cables, Droylsden FC and Gt Harwood were elected to play in the Combination, whilst Droylsden United had missed out yet again, and had now been turned down by both the Cheshire League and the Combination. Droylsden FC were elated with their success. They stated they were to go ahead with improvement schemes immediately. The Butchers’ Arms ground was to be lengthened and widened, whilst a new stand to seat 800 to 1,000 people was to be erected. The following week the club advertised for players – professionals and amateurs – and it was clear the Droylsden committee were making every effort to put a first-class team together in readiness for the coming season, which was to be a step-up in class for Droylsden FC. The Droylsden committee were hoping to attract much bigger gates at their home matches now they had entered the Combination. The population of Droylsden had grown tremendously in recent years, and the club hoped to gain a large measure of support from these newcomers. The Droylsden Supporters’ Club had also been busy and were about to launch a campaign to attract a 1,000 members. At the annual meeting, president, Councillor Dale, presided over an enthusiastic gathering. A cash statement showed that a total income of £419 16s 3d was made up mainly of £301 gate receipts; £65 11s 2d donations; £15 rent from Droylsden United, and £15 from AV Roe (who had paid in advance for the use of the ground for the coming season) and £31 0s 9d from the Supporters Club. Main expenditure items were, £231 5s 3d, players wages; £15, referees wages etc; £16 8s 2d, team equipment; £44 18s 2d, ground maintenance; £20 16s 5d, travelling expenses; £25, ground rent; £30 19s 6d, printing, postage and telephone etc, and £18 4s 9d, league and cup fees. The committee stated they were excited about the forthcoming season in the Combination and that the future of the club now looked very bright indeed. Droylsden United meanwhile, were left to soldier on in the South-East Lancashire League, though they made it clear they fully intended going ahead with their ground building scheme in Medlock Street. In June 1936, Rhyl were elected to fill the vacancy in the Cheshire League. |