Surprise new statement issued on the future of Droylsden who haven’t played since 2020

A surprise new statement has been issued on the future of Droylsden who haven’t played a match since withdrawing from their league in 2020.

It was on the 6th of August 2020, that they withdrew from the Northern Premier League, citing the impact of the Covid pandemic on the club.

On the 26th of May 2021, Droylsden announced they would not field a team in any competition for the 2021–22 season, due to the financial impact of the pandemic. This situation continued for the 2022-23 season.

There was silence over what would happen to the club. Would they ever come back? What was going to happen next? Well finally, on Monday the 16th of January 2023, we have now heard official plans from the owner via a tweet on the club’s Twitter page…

UPDATE:

“In response to a plea from concerned fans, Droylsden FC owner Dave Pace yesterday met with supporters to discuss the future of the club.

“At a very well attended meeting (with some 60-70 fans present), Dave explained how the global Covid-19 pandemic had basically “cut him off at the knees” financially.

“However, with bookings for private functions at the social club now picking up, the small green shoots of recovery have hopefully just begun.

“The first big challenge is to renew the stadium’s safety certificate, which will take time and money, but there were offers of both made at yesterday’s meeting.

“A further meeting has been arranged to discuss and plan next steps, and that is set for Sunday 29 January, 2:30pm to 4pm – and all fans, old and new, will be very welcome to attend, share ideas, and offer any practical support they are able to – whether that be construction skills, financial nous, fundraising suggestions, or anything else that can help resurrect our local non-league football club and try to protect its 140+ year history.

In 2020, they wrote via their website: Droylsden FC have as of today resigned from the Northern Premier League and will also take no part in Cup Competition this season

In a letter sent to the Northern Premier League Chairman Dave Pace described the decision as the most difficult he has ever had to make.

However the disruption caused by the Covid-19 crisis has left him with no alternative.

The closing of the social club and its function rooms since the start of the pandemic, the main income source with no indication of any restart on viable trading terms along with a loss of income from the club’s main sponsor has left the club with no visible alternative income stream during the crisis.

“The club may hopefully survive this crisis and continue into the future in less challenging circumstances than we find ourselves in during the present”

The club will be making no further statement at the present time.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Droylsden Football Club have announced this morning that they will not be fielding a team in competition this season due to the financial situation brought about by the Covid 19 pandemic. https://t.co/blt0gNBJcr pic.twitter.com/b0JjAj9ta6

— Droylsden FC (@Droylsden_FC) May 26, 2021

Just bumped into Dave Pace. First time I’d seen him since March, 2020. He said he’s not ready to speak yet but he does have plans to bring back @Droylsden_FC

— Mike Pav (@CharlieBunyan) April 28, 2022

May 2021 saw Coun David Mills, Tameside councillor for Droylsden East, told the Manchester Evening News: “It’s a massive loss and it is devastating for Droylsden that they won’t be taking part in the upcoming season.

“Dave and [wife] Stella are cornerstones of the community, they have a great club. Dave has been there a very long time.

“We are obviously worried about the future of the football club as this is the second season they won’t be able to take part, but hopefully with the easing of restrictions in a few weeks the financial situation at the club will improve.

“The council works very closely with the football club and all our other businesses with support throughout the pandemic, and if the club needs further assistance they know where we are.”

In the statement issued (May 26th 2021), Mr Peace said he had ‘heavily subsidised’ the club since taking over as chairman more than 30 years ago.

In a letter sent to the league, Mr Pace said the decision was ‘the most difficult he has ever had to make’, but insisted the Covid crisis had ‘left him with no alternative’.

He added: “The club may hopefully survive this crisis and continue into the future in less challenging circumstances than we find ourselves in during the present.”

Droylsden was founded in 1892 and played home matches at the Butcher’s Arms Ground – though since 2020, the stadium has been home to Stretford Paddock FC.

The Bloods reached the fifth tier of English football back in 2007, and placed 16th in the Northern Premier League Division One North West table when the 2019-20 season was halted due to the pandemic.

In April 2022 however, there is a slight glimmer of hope, as @CharlieBunyan tweeted: “Just bumped into Dave Pace. First time I’d seen him since March, 2020. He said he’s not ready to speak yet but he does have plans to bring back @Droylsden_FC.”

LEAGUE HISTORY (SINCE 2003)

2003-04 NPL-Prem | 44 PLD | 86 PTS | 2/23 POS
2004-05 CONF-North | 42 PLD | 79 PTS | 3/22 POS
2005-06 CONF-North | 42 PLD | 72 PTS | 4/22 POS
2006-07 CONF-North | 42 PLD | 75 PTS | 1/22 POS
2007-08 CONF-Nat | 46 PLD | 24 PTS | 24/24 POS
2008-09 CONF-North | 42 PLD | 68 PTS | 7/22 POS
2009-10 CONF-North | 40 PLD | 64 PTS | 5/21 POS
2010-11 CONF-North | 40 PLD | 60 PTS | 8/21 POS
2011-12 CONF-North | 42 PLD | 59 PTS | 9/22 POS
2012-13 CONF-North | 42 PLD | 22 PTS | 21/22 POS
2013-14 NPL-Prem | 46 PLD | 9 PTS | 24/24 POS
2014-15 NPL-1N | 42 PLD | 63 PTS | 10/22 POS
2015-16 NPL-1N | 42 PLD | 39 PTS | 19/22 POS
2016-17 NPL-1N | 42 PLD | 54 PTS | 13/22 POS
2017-18 NPL-1N | 42 PLD | 50 PTS | 13/22 POS
2018-19 NPL-1W | 38 PLD | 43 PTS | 14/20 POS
2019-20 NPL-1NW | 30 PLD | 27 PTS | ABAND

CLUB RECORDS:

Record league attendance: 15,000 vs Hyde United – Manchester League, 1921
Record cup attendance: vs Grimsby Town, FA Cup 1st Round, 1976 – variously given as 4,250, 4,500 and 5,018
Record defeat: 1-13 vs Chorley, NPL Premier Division 5 April 2014
FA Cup best performance: Second round proper – 1978-79, 2008–09 (expelled for fielding an ineligible player), 2010–11 (eliminated AET in the replay by Leyton Orient)
FA Trophy best performance: Third round proper – 1998–99, 2007–08
FA Vase best performance: Third round – 1986–87, 1989–90

Twitter users reacted to the surprise new statement issued on the future of Droylsden who haven’t played since 2020…

@Topblood73: The will is definitely there to bring our great club back. We performed some miracles on the pitch in the past, time for another one 👏

@rhyshowen: If I can help in anyway, general maintenance or media, let me know 👍

@stelewis9: Belter hopefully this club gets back to life #Bloods

@Brianhesmondha2: Great bit of news

@PaulRoo6Times: Heard a bit of news yesterday 🤔 And would be brilliant if this could/may happen 🤞🤞🤞🙏🙏🙏

@ComeOnYouBloods: We need our club back so we can support our team again.

@triggs14: Brilliant news. Best of luck all. Cc @joejoejoeyeah

@m_brewster96: Great news 👏🏼

@Beeffy1999: Think its time to sell Mr Pace . Need new investment

@howsoonisnow4: Fantastic news come on yoooou blooooods ❤

@decdunn_: Love this

@adamc433: Good to see a positive statement coming from @Droylsden_FC this morning. A great non-league club that hopefully makes a come back!

@BlooSoo2: Help get the #Bloods back 🙏💙

@Benzinixo: ❤️❤️❤️ Positive signs for the future