Droylsden Football Club's friendly against Stretford Paddock FC will see both teams compete for the Tony Downes Trophy. 

The Bloods will take on the Manchester outfit on Saturday 8 July at The Butchers Arms. 

The trophy is dedicated to Droylsden guardsman Tony Downes, who was killed at the age of 20 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in 2007. Tony has a local street and a building named after him. 

The Bloods also have other friendlies organised - away at Charnock Richard FC on 1 July, at home to Stockport Georgians on 11 July and Heaton Stannington FC on 15 July, and away at AFC Crewe on 22 July. 

After three years away, Dave Pace's side will return to the non-league pyramid at the start of the 2023/24 season.

The club was forced to withdraw from the Northern Premier League, the third step of the non-league pyramid, in August 2020 after being unable to recover from the financial impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had. 

The Bloods have been out of action ever since and it has taken until now to gather enough funds to reapply for entry back into non-league football. The application was successful and Droylsden will play in the Division One North of the North West Counties Football League next season, the sixth step of the non-league pyramid. 

🏃 Tour of Tameside 2023 🏃

We're proud to be delivering this year's four-day running festival, which takes place from 15 to 18 June. 

Find out more and book your place here. 

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