A Greater Manchester football club with more than 130 years' history could soon make a comeback having been derailed by the covid pandemic. Droylsden FC was founded in 1892 and reached the heights of the fifth tier of English football as recently as 2007.
But the Tameside team hasn't kicked a ball since March 2020. The club resigned from the Northern Premier League in August that year, due to the financial strain caused by the pandemic, and is yet to return to competition.
Now, the club's owner has met with dozens of Droylsden FC supporters to plan a possible comeback for the club, with function room bookings providing a boost for the club's finances. In a statement issued today (January 16), a spokesperson for Droylsden FC said: "In response to a plea from concerned fans, Droylsden FC owner Dave Pace yesterday met with supporters to discuss the future of the club.
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"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." Droylsden FC, nicknamed 'The Bloods', play their home matches at the Butcher's Arms Ground in Droylsden.
Another meeting is due to take place at 2.30pm on Sunday, January 29, where ideas to bring back the football club and 'protect its history' will be discussed. The club statement added: "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."
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