Back in August 2020, after falling victim to the financial fallout of the pandemic, Droylsden FC tragically had to bow out of the Northern Premier League and cease playing.
However, following a push from those still remaining at the club, some dedicated fans and loyal locals around the town, a campaign to resurrect the Tameside team is gathering momentum and now they are calling on Greater Manchester to do their bit.
Set up by the club’s head of media Nigel Barlow, those trying to keep the Droylsden alive — a club which was founded all the way back in 1892 — have been holding productive meetings since January and people in the area are already showing their love and support for their local side.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up with over £2,500 in donations raised since February. However, they still have some way to go if they hope to reach their total £10k target.
We have made some progress and thank to those who have donated over the last few days following our update but we still need more help #bloodsrevivalhttps://t.co/L8R2UTHFaE
As written in the description of the fundraiser, “Droylsden Football Club is on its way back but we need your help to carry on this great club’s 140-year plus history…
“After two positive fan meetings with over 100 fans in attendance… we now know what the first steps are in order to allow us to play football at the Butchers Arms [Ground] again.”
Barlow goes on to explain how the bulk of the money will go towards helping “gain a safety certificate allowing us to play football at the ground and welcome fans back” with renovations including “replacing bird netting and roof netting… safety floor markings… some perimeter fencing”, labour costs and more.
The stadium was also sadly vandalised following its closure shortly after lockdown hit, with several repairs now needed in the William Pace Stand, named after the father of current manager and former player Dave Pace, who still remains in post despite the team’s future remaining uncertain.
To date, thanks to all those who have donated so far and The Community Payback team spearheading the prospective comeback, more than £5,300 is said to have been raised as of 6 April.
Moreover, in a statement issued to ‘The Bloods’ Facebook page, they informed supporters that “the North West Counties are behind our application to join the league in 2023/24 season”, although they are still waiting for full confirmation from the FA.
In the meantime, the club have continued to carry out numerous charitable efforts together with the local community, having been holding everything from charitable collection nights and family horse racing days to sports memorabilia auctions.
It goes without saying that the club are asking for more Mancs to help and have reiterated that any donation, no matter how big or small, would be greatly appreciated.
We wish all the best for Droylsden FC and their future which, hopefully, lies back on the pitch and packing out the Butcher’s Arms every weekend.
You can donate to Droylsden’s resurrection fundraiser HERE.
Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.
Danny Jones -
11th April 2023 
