The Underdog's of English Football. *Updated v Vauxhall Motors*

[DPRA]

For a long time now, Droylsden Football Club has promoted replies of "Who?" and "Never heard of them" from Many people in Manchester and all over the UK, However, this season they are hoping to change that story and become one of the top sucess stories of the Blue Square North.

After finishing third in the inaugural season of the Conference North in 2004-05, Droylsden were looking to go one better and reach the top tier of non-league football for the first time in their history. A fourth-place finish in the 2005-06 season gave Droylsden a second chance to reach the Conference National through the play-offs. However, they narrowly missed out on promotion in a penalty shoot-out in the final against Stafford Rangers.

On 29 March 2006 Droylsden lost 2-1 to Hyde United in the final of the Manchester Premier Cup. On 18 April 2007 they beat Flixton 3-0 in the final of the Manchester Premier Cup. Three days later they beat Harrogate Town 2-0 and so won promotion to the Conference National as Conference North champions with two games in hand. However, they struggled in the Conference National, and were relegated back to the Conference North on 8 April even though they beat Farsley Celtic 2-1, due to Weymouth's draw against Grays Athletic the same evening.

This season with a New manager (Lee Sweetman) in control of the club, Droylsden FC are hoping to gain Promotion back to the Blue Square Premier at the first time of asking. ​

 

[Jaztheman]

Droylsden? Oh no...



Nah it's a nice start to the story and is good to see a lower league club get a story around here. Good luck.

 

[DPRA]

Droylsden FC Squad List 2008/2009

Craig Mawson (Goal Keeper)

The keeper signed for Droylsden in August 2008 a month after signing for FC Halifax Town. Craig signed for FC Halifax Town on the agreement that he would not be held back if a team further up the pyramid expressed an interest. The former Burnley, Lincoln City, Halifax Town, Morecambe, Oldham and Hereford keeper was an 'old friend' to the Club as he had previously had two spells at Halifax Town, the latest last season in the Blue Square Premier.

Kyle Clancy (Goal Keeper)

Young Goalkeeper who signed for the Bloods in July 2008 after his release from Coca-Cola Championship side Blackpool in May. Kyle also played for Everton and Bury before playing for Blackpool where he was a regular for their reserves before his release.

Sean Newton (Defender)

Young defender who returned to the club in August 2008 after initially joining on loan from Chester City in February 2008. A member of the Chester City 1st team squad after making a promising start in the Youth Team. He was sent out on loan to Southport at the beginning of the 2007/8 season and he returned for a brief spell at The Deva Stadium, making limited appearances before joining Droylsden on loan.

Steve Halford (Defender)

Hacker ended a 3-year stay at Accrington Stanley by signing for Droylsden in July 2005 after a loan spell in the previous season. He was the only player to play in all 54 games for Accrington Stanley in their Unibond League championship season. He was previously a member of the Bury schoolboy side which won the National Championship in 1996 and went on to play five first-team games before joining Chester. Joined Stanley in January 2002.

Colin Cryan (Defender)

Signed for the Bloods in July 2007. Cryan is a former Republic of Ireland under-21 international who started his career at Sheffield United as a youngster, but made only 5 appearances as a substitute before he was released by the club at the end of the 2003/2004 season. He then moved to Scarborough where he played over 50 times for the Seadogs scoring four goals. He signed for Lincoln City in the summer of 2005 and spent the second half of last season at Boston United.

Lee Roche (Defender)

Signed for Droylsden in October 2007. Started as a trainee at Manchester United, during which time he had a loan spell at Wrexham and made 41 appearances. He was released by Manchester United the end of 2003 on a free transfer after 4 seasons and joined Burnley. After 54 appearances in two seasons he returned to play for Wrexham in the summer of 2005. At the end of the 2006/7 season Roche was released by Wrexham after making a further 45 appearances for the club.

Liam Brownhill (Defender)

Signed for Droylsden in June 2008 from Witton Albion. The England C International signed for Witton Albion in December 2005 from Connahs Quay Nomads. His previous clubs include Bangor City and Stockport County. Brownhill is an attacking full back, equally comfortable on either side of the pitch and he combines perfectly timed forays forward with impressive dribbling skills to pose a sizable threat to any opposition defence.

Mike Byron (Defender)

Signed for Droylsden in late July 2008 from Hinckley United. He had signed an 18 month contract for Hinckley United in January 2008, from Notts County after being on loan from County since October 2007. He first joined Hinckley on loan in October 2006 from Championship side Hull City. The defender had a year at Hull before moving to Notts County after a loan spell with the Magpies.

Jamie McGuire (Midfielder)

Attacking midfielder Jamie signed for the Bloods in June 2007 from Cammell Laird. Jamie scored more than 70 goals in the last three seasons for The Lairds. A member of the 2001/2002 Tranmere youth team squad that won both the Football League Youth Alliance Merit Division and the Lancashire Youth Cup. Made a handful of appearances for the Tranmere reserve team and had a loan spell at Northwich Victoria. After a short spell at TNS he signed for Cammell Laird for the 2003/2004 season.

Alex Brown (Midfielder)

Signed for the club from Witton Albion in June 2008. After starting his career at Crewe Alex and then moving onto Leek Town, Alex signed for Witton Albion in June 2006. Brown is the midfielder every manager wants in his team. An all action player with an eye for goal, Brown revels in breaking down opposition moves as much as being the catalyst for his own team's forays forward.

Neil Sorvel (Midfielder)

Signed for Droylsden in July 2008 after his release by Morecambe. He began his career with Crewe Alexandra, after progressing through their famous youth academy, however, he only made a handful of league appearances, before being released. He joined Mcclesfield for the start of the 1993/94 season and was part of the successful side that twice won the Football Conference. After impressing in the League he left Macclesfield after six seasons and joined Crewe Alexandra. After making over 250 appearances for Crewe in six seasons he left and joined Shrewsbury where he was a first team regular for the 2005-06 season and the opening part of the 2006-07 season. He then fell out of favour with Shrewsbury and lost his place in the first team. This caused him to accept a move to Morecambe in January 2007. He also had a short spell on loan at Southport in the 2007/08 season.

Steve Pickford (Midfielder)

Signed for Droylsden in July 2008 from Hyde United. After starting his career at Doncaster Rovers, Leigh RMI and Glossop Syd' signed for Stalybridge Celtic in April 1999 and remained there for 3 seasons before joining Southport for the start of the 2002 season. Despite being relegated at the end of his 1st season, the industrious midfielder who has an eye for goal was one of a few shining lights in the 'Port team and was the Player's and Fan's player of the year in his first season. He signed for Hyde at the start of the 2007/08 season.

Steven Beck (Midfielder)

Joined Droylsden in September 2008 from Welsh Premier side TNS. He originally signed with the Saints in July 2003. An England U-16 international and former member of the Everton youth academy, he played for the Toffees' U-18s in 2001/02 and was a member of the U-19 squad in 2002/03, before being released on a free in June that year. He trained with Wigan on the promise of a contract, but when the deal fell through, he considered giving up football. He was recommended to TNS by Andy Cale and joined the club and proved to be a key-man for the club. He has a great shot from outside the box and loves to get forward. He has played in the Champions League and UEFA Cup for the club and made nearly 100 appearances for TNS scoring 22 goals.


Carl Lamb (Forward)

Joined Droylsden in July 2008 after his release by Welsh Premier side The New Saints. Pacy frontman who joined Bangor City from Cammell Laird at the beginning of March 2005 and scored on his debut at Welshpool Town. Transferred to NEWI Cefn Druids in the 2006 close season but his contract was terminated by mutual consent in early December and he signed for Saints on a non-contract basis at the beginning of 2007.

Matthew Tipton (Forward)

Signed for Droylsden in October 2008 from Hyde United. He worked his way through the ranks at Oldham Athletic to eventually make 112 first team appearances and scored 15 times. He then moved to Macclesfield after 5 years at Oldham and in a 3 year spell he made 131 appearances and scored 41 goals. After spells at Mansfield and Bury he eventually returned to Macclesfield before signing for Hyde last season.

*New Signings for Droylsden (In real Life and now on game)*

Tony Gray - Striker - Signed from Southport, Scored 11 goals in 10 games.
Jake Speight - Striker - Signed on a Free after his release from Farsley Celtic
Rory Patterson - Striker - Prolific Striker signed from FC United
Carl Ruffer - Defender - Signed from Bradford Park Av
Gareth Morris - Midfielder - Was released, but then re-signed on a free
Jody Banim - Midfielder/Striker - Fan Favourite back at the Club.
Ian Fitzpatrick - Striker - Former Droylsden player signed from Ashton united

​

 

[shefellover93]

A bit of local knowledge goes a long way

Good luck with it Lee

 

[mattfb]

Great start Lee, kiu!

 

[DPRA]

The First Test of the Season.

V

(Friendly)


The first test of Lee Sweetman's Droylsden FC Career was a tough Home game against 'The U's' of Oxford United.

The last time these teams met was last season when Droylsden came out eventual 3-1 winners in a game that was screened Live on Setanta.

Steve Daly opened up the scoring after 15 Mins after Jody Banim showed Superb Skill to turn 2 defenders and Put that ball into the box for Daly to head easily past Billy Turley.

Droylsden then went from happy to happier after Chris Denham showed some lovely skill to beat the defender, who then took him down for a penalty, Jody Banim then smashed the ball down the middle of the net to make it 2-0.

Oxford then got one back through Yemi Odebabde, to make it 2-1. Droylsden tried to kill the game off and then they did, as Jamie McGure ran through the defence to fire the ball past Turley, to make it 3-1 and spark scenes of mass relief among the Bloods fans.

Lee Sweetman was hoping for a winning start to his Droylsden Career, and here is the team He placed onto the Pitch:

GK - Craig Mawson
RB - Lee Roche
LB - Sean Newton
CB - Steve Halford (c)
CB - Colin Cryan
DMC -Neil Sorvel
LM - Steven Beck
RM - Michael Allan (New Signing)
AMC - Jody Banim
ST - Jake Speight
ST - Rory Patterson

Droylsden started off the better side with Jody Banim going close on only 2 minutes.

Oxford then came back through Yemi Odebade, however, he shot wide from a tight angle. Droylsden tried, and tried in vain to beat the Oxford Defence, however, Chris Caruthers (MOTM) Was in un-beatable form and he sniffed out any Droylsden attack with ease, and the first half finished 0-0.

The second half was more of the same, the game was all a midfield battle, and the only chance of the half fell to David Fowler, who hit the post from a tight angle with Mawson Beaten.


0-0 Full time.

Lee Sweetman's Droylsden Managerial Stats:

Played 1, Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 0, Points 1, GF 0, GA 0, GD 0.

​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Comparing to last season then this result is not good as you defeated them 3-1 last season. Good luck for rest of the matches and great start mate..

 

[DPRA]

Comparing to last season then this result is not good as you defeated them 3-1 last season. Good luck for rest of the matches and great start mate..

Hey Mate.

The problem is that after being Relegated from the Conference Last Season we released most of our players, and we have now got 22 new players, so its not the same team that played them Last year.

 

[Jaztheman]

Awesome stuff mate, this is a quality start to the story. The indepth detail on the players was very good.

A good start to the season as Oxford aren't pushovers and considering your new side, things went well. Hopefully you can get a good run going.

 

[saladguy]

That result was more of 'a point gained' rather than 'three points dropped'.

 

[DPRA]

Awesome stuff mate, this is a quality start to the story. The indepth detail on the players was very good.

A good start to the season as Oxford aren't pushovers and considering your new side, things went well. Hopefully you can get a good run going.

Cheers mate. I have always thought that my story's lacked Detail, and thus, with my knowledge of the club, I thought that people would find it more interesting if I put about the players in .

That result was more of 'a point gained' rather than 'three points dropped'.

It sure was, but the problem was that it was a friendly

 

[DPRA]

'The Bloods' Un-convincing in Pre-Season

Many Droylsden FC Fan's looked at the Pre Season fixtures and thought they should win at least 2 out of 4, as they Played 2 teams from the Blue Square South, a Team from the Conference and a team from League 2..

However, Droylsden dissapointed the fans, after 4 very poor results.

The 2nd friendly (after the 0-0 Draw with Oxford) was a trip to Conference South team Fisher Athletic who are tipped to be in the relegation battle come the end of the season. Tony Gray opened the scoring after 12 Minutes to start what the Bloods fan's thought was going to be a 'whitewash' however, it wasn't going to be, and Fisher Athletic did them selfs proud and attacked Droylsden. They had 2 goals controversially ruled out for Off-Side, however, the Replays showed that both goals should have stood. Then, Fisher got what they Deserved in the 94th Minute as Chris Poole poped up and headed home an equiliser to send the Bloods fans back North embarrased.

Just 4 days Later, Droylsden traveled to another Conference South side Braintree, and yet again, this was dubbed to be 3 points for the Bloods, yet like the previous game, it didn't turn out to be. Droylsden once again took the lead after 30 minutes when Ex FC United striker Rory Patterson shot home from 6 yards, Braintree were then level 3 minutes later when on loan Striker Danny Kedwall unleashed a stunning 20 yard Strike to leave Craig Mawson rooted to the spot. The Second half was a dull affair with neither side threatening, Full time 1-1 again.

Droylsden then hosted League 2 and there parent Club Chester City at home, this was the one game when Lee Sweetman was happy with the performance as the Bloods managed to keep a clean sheet against a team that are 2 leagues above them. Chester City also played a full strength team, Both clubs can also confirm that 19 year Old Central midfielder Neil Carroll has joined Droylsden on a season-long loan from Chester City.

The question is, can Droylsden perform better first game of the season that they did in Pre Seaon?

Lee Sweetman's Managerial Stats.

Played 4, Won 0, Drawn 4, Lost 0, Points 4, GF 2, GA 2, GD 0

 

[Jaztheman]

You said that you should of got 3 points against Baintree, but you can't get points in pre-season.

The defence has been very good so far, especially against superior opposition but you seem to be lacking the cutting edge up front, which you need badly in the lower leagues.

Liking the look of this, Lee.

 

[DPRA]

You said that you should of got 3 points against Baintree, but you can't get points in pre-season.

The defence has been very good so far, especially against superior opposition but you seem to be lacking the cutting edge up front, which you need badly in the lower leagues.

Liking the look of this, Lee.

Ah yeah, just noticed that. .

I mean it in a way as '3 points' means we should have won it. .

Thinking about trying to tempt a Striker in soon.

 

[Jaztheman]

Ah yeah, just noticed that. .

I mean it in a way as '3 points' means we should have won it. .

Thinking about trying to tempt a Striker in soon.

Haha okay then.

I reckon you should, judging by past performances. A quick striker that has an eye for goal is generally awesome in the lowery leagues.