Season 1939-40. Lancashire Combination.

War Time Cheshire League.

Having let down the supporters during the previous campaign, the Droylsden committee were at pains to let it be known that this season they were going to get it right. The officials were well aware that there had been too much chopping and changing during the past season - a policy which had resulted in over 40 players appearing in Droylsden shirts - and their promise now was towards building a settled side. Players retained from the previous season were: Dawes, Horsfall, Davies and Owen, whilst the new signing's included: John Coverdale, who had played for the Army against Belgium and France: McConnell, a young centre half, whom two League clubs were said to be watching: Swindells, from Hyde United: Burgess, a left back from Newton Heath: Murray, an inside left from Manchester North End: Rothery, a professional half back from Notts County: Brooks, a professional centre forward who had scored over 60 goals for Manchester North End in the past season, and Sleaford, an outside right who had had experience with Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers. Droylsden were to carry on as a nursery to Manchester City, whilst the City 'A' team would continue to use the Butchers' Arms.

Droylsden commenced the season with a 4-4 home draw against Rochdale Reserves. They then travelled to Barrow for a mid week match, where they lost 1-6, and the following Saturday, September 2nd 1939, in what was to be their last match of the season under the auspices of the Lancashire Combination, Droylsden beat Accrington Stanley Reserves 4-1 at the Butchers' Arms. The next morning, war was declared, and following the declaration came the announcement that all sport was to come to an immediate halt. One week later however, the ban was lifted, though football could not continue where it had left off. Due to petrol rationing long distance travelling between clubs had been curtailed, and the local leagues reacted by splitting their leagues into two sections to minimise travelling. In late September, the Combination announced that their two sections - east and west - would each be comprised of ten clubs. Droylsden were to play in the east section, along with Accrington, Darwen, Bacup, Rossendale, Great Harwood, Oldham, Nelson, Clitheroe and Rochdale. In the meantime, the Cheshire League had also split their league into east and west sections.

The Lancashire Combination then had a change of mind and dropped the idea of running their league in two sections, and decided to carry on as one league. Droylsden were not too happy about that however, and felt they would be better off in the Cheshire League or even some local league. The officials feared that carrying on in the Combination would lead to some nightmare journeys, especially when the blackout came into force. At a meeting of the Cheshire County League on September 22nd 1939, Mr. Edward Case, president, informed those clubs gathered, that they were now ready to fix up a competition for clubs who intended to carry on. Clubs present who signified they had every intention of carrying on were: Altrincham, Buxton, Ashton National, Hurst, Hyde United, Macclesfield, Mossley, Northwich Victoria, Runcorn, Stalybridge Celtic, Stockport County, Wellington Town, Wigan Athletic, Winsford United and Witton Albion. It was then agreed to rule out Wellington Town, on account of travelling difficulties, and this meant that 14 clubs were left. Mr. Case then said he had received an application from Droylsden, and as Chester was likely to join; this would mean 16 clubs were available. They would be divided into two sections of eight and any transport troubles would be minimised. Droylsden were then unanimously accepted and it was decided to divide the league as follows:

East Section: Ashton National, Hurst, Mossley, Stalybridge Celtic, Hyde United, Buxton, Stockport County and Droylsden.

West Section: Altrincham, Witton Albion, Northwich Victoria, Runcorn, Winsford United, Wigan Athletic, Macclesfield and Chester.

The season was split into two halves, a 1939 season and a 1940 season. The 1939 season would run from the beginning of October to the end of December, whilst the 1940 season would run from the beginning of January to the end of March. The two winners of the 1939 sections would then meet in one semi-final, and the two winners of the 1940 sections would meet in the other semi-final. The two finalists would then meet in a two-legged final (home and away) to decide who would be the new Cheshire League Champions. All players were to be paid a maximum of £1 per match including expenses. The Lancashire Combination carried on with eight clubs in their league, with players receiving 10 shillings (50p) per match. With the cessation of League Football, local club managers were rushing around like secret service agents contacting players who were likely to be loaned out by League clubs.

Cheshire League - 1939 Season                            Final table - East Section

Stockport County Reserves and Buxton were withdrawn from the competition at the end of the 1939 season. Macclesfield were then switched from the west section to the east section, making a total of 7 teams to play in the 1940 east section season. South Liverpool replaced Macclesfield in the west section, and that section was able to continue with 8 teams for the 1940 season.

Cheshire League - 1940 Season                       Final Table - East Section

Hyde United and Droylsden were the only semi finalists as Runcorn had won both the 1939 and the 1940 season in the west section. Runcorn therefore, passed straight into the final. The first leg of the two-legged semi final between Hyde United and Droylsden was played at the Butchers' Arms in front of 1,711 spectators, and after a tremendous match the score at the final whistle was Droylsden 6 Hyde United 5. In the second leg at Ewen Fields, where a crowd of 2,300 had gathered, Droylsden went through to the final after beating Hyde 1-0. The final (first leg) was played at Runcorn, where Droylsden lost the match 1-4. In the second leg at the Butchers' Arms, though Droylsden won the match 2-1, it wasn't enough to stop Runcorn taking the Cheshire League Championship with an aggregate score of 5-3. Runcorn were presented with their trophy at the end of the match, whilst Droylsden, as runners-up, took the Edward Case trophy.

Throughout both seasons clubs were allowed to use players from the Football League, and Droylsden were fortunate that, as a nursery to Manchester City, they were able to borrow six or seven players from Maine Road. The Butchers' Arms outfit also loaned players from Everton and Blackpool. Towards the end of August 1940, it was announced that the Cheshire League were closing down for the duration of the war. 

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