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Season 1937-38. Lancashire Combination. A Nursery For The Blues. In August 1937, the Droylsden officials signed an agreement with Manchester City, which resulted in Droylsden FC being adopted as a nursery by the Maine Road club. The Market Street outfit received generous terms under the agreement, one of which was that Manchester City’s ‘A’ team - who played in the Manchester League – would share the Butchers’ Arms ground with Droylsden during the coming season, and Droylsden would be allowed to keep all the gate-money from the City ‘A’ team matches. Other ways in which Droylsden would benefit were to be on the playing side. The Butchers’ Arms club would be allowed to watch Manchester City’s trial matches, and have a choice of any Manchester City players who were not required by the League club. Apart from the benefits however, there were drawbacks, one being that as a nursery to a League club, Droylsden was not allowed to participate in the FA Cup competition. Mr. Alexander junior, of Manchester City, had been elected to Droylsden’s committee to watch over the City ‘A’ team. Many more improvements had been made to the Butchers’ Arms ground during the closed season, including a covered approach to the baths, and a divided dressing room. Three new drains had been laid on the playing field, and eighty tons of sand and soil had been spread over the playing area. A new exit had been made into Greenside Lane to prevent congestion at the main gates, and a new covered stand had been erected behind the Market street goal, whilst the ground behind the opposite goal had been banked and terraced. The main stand, new last season, had been improved with the provision of a private box for visiting officials and the Press, and a glass screen had been erected on the weather side of the stand to provide more comfort for the spectators. It had been decided by the committee, during the summer, that Mr. Johnson would be promoted from secretary to secretary-manager, a move that was welcomed by the supporters, whilst Mr. Griffiths had been elected as the clubs new president. Among the new signings for the coming season were: Jones, a professional goalkeeper from Swansea: McCleary, an ex-Blackpool and Sheffield United player: Murray, a centre half from Urmston: Bond, an outside left from Stockport: Southall, an inside forward in whom Bury FC were interested: Smith (Northenden), and S Lowe and Jack James, two schoolboy internationals. Players who had appeared in the side that had done so well in the latter stages of the previous season had been retained and included: Boulton, Shepherd, Bentley, Lloyd, Broadbent, Kelly, Clarke, Williams and Williamson. Other players were signed as the season progressed. Droylsden kicked off the new season at the Butchers’ Arms, “….resplendent in entirely new outfits…” against Chorley, the match ending in a 1-1 draw. It was to be a much better campaign for the club in this season, and though the team didn’t exactly set the league alight with blistering performances in every match, some notable results were achieved. On a visit to Rossendale United early in the season, the Rossendale club, who had taken maximum points from their first six matches, stated in their programme, “….Droylsden should not give us undue worry today…” Droylsden did give them undue worry however, beating them by 4 goals to 2. Droylsden ended their second season in the Combination in a comfortable mid table position, and had coped much better with the class of football that had been so new to them in their first season. In a home match against Darwen, it was reported that the first Darwen supporter was on the ground at 9-15am. He told a reporter he had walked from Darwen on Friday, and had stopped in Manchester overnight to make sure he was early for the match. In the Ashton Challenge Cup, Droylsden were paired with Ferguson Pailin at the Butchers’ Arms, where, after a terrific struggle, Droylsden ran out winners by 6 goals to 4. In April, the Market Street club faced Hyde United in the semi-final at National Park, and were a little surprised at how easily they beat the Cheshire League club, as were the Droylsden supporters, who were expecting a very tough game. Droylsden won the match 4-0, and progressed through to the final, where they were to meet another old rival in Stalybridge Celtic. During the course of Droylsden’s league campaign, scouts from Football League clubs had been in attendance at the Butchers’ Arms on a regular basis. Scouts from Leeds United, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Burnley, Bolton Wanderers and Huddersfield Town had been at Droylsden for virtually every home match. Whilst at the last home match, against Accrington Stanley Reserves, a match that Droylsden won 4-1, a host of First and Second Division League clubs were represented. Enquiries were made about Broadbent, Myers, Turnbull and McCleary. The Ashton Challenge Cup Final was played at National Park on a Friday evening in May, where, in front of a large crowd, Stalybridge Celtic achieved a hat trick by winning the trophy for the third year in succession. “In a hard and fast game, Stalybridge were the better balanced side, though Droylsden were to be commended for the manner in which they fought back to level the scores after being two goals down. Celtic began briskly with the advantage of the strong sun and the breeze behind them. The Droylsden goal was under heavy pressure from the kick off, and after 11 minutes, Richards turned a header over the bar by Dyson. From the corner kick, Bailey shot over a bunch of players into the net for Celtic’s first goal. Droylsden then had a lucky escape when Broadbent kicked the ball off Bailey’s toe when he was only three yards from goal. After 14 minutes, a free kick by Nisbett saw the ball kicked about in the goalmouth, Bailey turning it over the line for his second goal. So far Celtic had dictated the play and seemed set for a runaway win, however, Droylsden put in an attack and forced a corner, from which they almost scored. The ball fell to Broadbent who lobbed it neatly into the goal, but Tyrer ran back and tipped the ball over the bar for a glorious save. "In the twenty seventh minute, Droylsden pulled a goal back. After good work on the left, Bond swung the ball into the goalmouth. Tyrer ran out but failed to grasp the ball properly and in a twinkling Lloyd scored. That put pep into the proceedings and five minutes later Hughes fouled Turnbull just outside the area. Shepherd took the freer kick and placed it across the goal, where Lloyd was on the spot for Droylsden’s equaliser. It had been a great recovery on Droylsden’s part, but three minutes from half time Celtic again took the lead. A lovely move between Bailey and Wright saw Urmson get a perfect pass in front of goal and he made no mistake. After such a hectic first half, there was still plenty of excitement to come. Slater, Bailey and Dyson took part in a brilliant piece of work, which ended in Bailey flicking the ball just wide of the far post. A’Lee put in a good dribble for Droylsden, and a shot by Turnbull sailed just over the bar. Whilst at the other end, Richards was out of his goal when Urmson took aim but Murray was on hand to head off the goal line. Celtic made sure of the game when, from a corner kick, McDermott scrambled the ball over the line. Murray was the giant for Droylsden. He was outstanding, and at times seemed to be playing the Celtic attack by himself. He tried to hold the side together, and blame for the defeat could not be laid at his door. Final-score: Stalybridge Celtic 4, Droylsden 2." Droylsden FC:- Richards, Howard, McCleary, Shepherd, Murray, Broadbent, Bond, Turnbull, Lloyd, A’Lee, Boulton Team Photo Stalybridge Celtic: Tyrer, Cunliffe, Abel, Nisbett, Hughes, McDermott, Slater, Dyson, Bailey, Wright, Urmson.
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