Author: Ronaldo Brown

In an eagerly anticipated comeback, Droylsden FC made a spectacular return to the football scene over the weekend in a thrilling match against Stretford Paddock, marking their first game since the club’s revival. Both teams battled it out for the honoured Tony Downes Trophy, setting the stage for an enthralling contest.

The Butcher’s Arms Stadium was buzzing with excitement and the match garnered an unbelievable turnout, with an estimated 1500 fans making their way to the venue.

The atmosphere was electric, with both sets of fans generating an incredible noise. Stretford Paddock brought a considerable following of their own, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Although the focus was primarily on Droylsden’s long-awaited return, Paddock, made it clear from the outset that they were not there to simply roll over; they aimed to spoil the party. With Paddock playing their home games at the Butcher’s Arms couple of seasons ago, it added to the historical connection.

The hosts kicked off the game with great energy, creating several scoring opportunities that ignited the crowd and Paddock spent much of the first half on the . However, the Bloods’ wastefulness in front of goal came back to haunt them late in the first half when Stretford Paddock’s new 45 year-old striker, Gavin Salmon, father of Paddock’s star midfielder Jainero Salmon-Harris, found space in the box, evaded his marker, and fired a precise shot into the bottom corner, giving his team the lead.

In the second half, Droylsden responded admirably, equalizing a few minutes in when their number 14 connected with a cross from the left, calmly slotting the ball home. The remainder of the game saw few noteworthy chances, apart from a close effort from Mikey Burke hitting the post from distance just minutes before the final whistle. With the score level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the match would be decided through a penalty shootout. Martin Flannagan was the star of the shootout for Paddock where his impressive saves gave Paddock the advantage. Droylsden’s hopes were then dashed when one of their veterans stepped up and sent his penalty wild and high over the crossbar, sealing victory for Stretford Paddock. Paddock joyously lifted the Tony Downes Trophy moments later, in front of their jubilant traveling supporters.

However, beyond the footballing spectacle, the match served as a tribute to Droylsden guardsman Tony Downes, who tragically lost his life at the age of 20 while serving his country in Afghanistan in 2007.

Notably, Stephen Howson, who grew up in Droylsden, also served in Afghanistan around the time Tony passed away, making this cause particularly close to his heart. Stephen shared, “I was on the Herrick that preceded the one Tony passed away on. I didn’t know him, but being from Droylsden, it really hit home. It’s always poignant passing his memorial on the side of the pub. So, when Dave asked us to play for this trophy, we took it seriously. We wanted to do justice to Tony’s memory and ensure it wasn’t taken lightly.”

Stephen further expressed his delight at Droylsden’s comeback, highlighting the remarkable efforts of Dave Pace, the Droylsden manager, behind the scenes. He stated, “I’m absolutely buzzing. I wasn’t sure they’d come back from what happened to them, but Dave has worked tirelessly and has probably surprised a few people. A few thousand people are here today, showing just how much the community missed their football club.”

Dave Pace, the Droylsden manager, dedicatedly worked to make this return possible and was astounded by the tremendous support from the fans. Despite only having a few weeks to prepare with the players, he saw around 140 individuals turn up for the first training session, presenting him with his fair share of challenges. Dave expressed his gratitude, saying, “The support has been brilliant. Today exceeded my expectations. It’s just fantastic; words can’t describe it. We’ve come so far from where we were a few months ago, and it’s all credit to the fans and everyone connected to the club.”

The day was a fantastic one for the whole community, who had waited three years for Droyslden’s return as well as being a significant milestone for Paddock who were able to walk away with their first bit of silverware in the clubs history.

The Cheshire Football League last night voted to accept the application of Stretford Paddock FC to join their ranks. After a lengthy and thorough application process, the vote was cast by existing clubs to admit;

Atherton LR
Bollington Town
AFC Haydock
Lymm Rovers
Mersey Valley
St Michaels DHFC
Stretford Paddock FC

Into the league for the commencement of the 2022/23 season.

The players were informed of the decision together, at the Player of the Year awards, Nosa Iyamu managed to give us his thoughts on the news, “The new league obviously brings new challenges and a lot of changes for us, I think for me and every other player it’s a welcomed challenge because we thrive under this type of pressure, every team wants to play their best against us, every team will want to come and put a performance on against us, in the stadium, too but like I said, we want the challenge. The new league also means we have to recruit more players to add to what we already have, being able to bring in experienced quality players will help us a lot through the course of the season not just on the pitch but off the pitch too.

I think for any team looking at us now it’ll be hard for them to see us as just a team from YouTube anymore, I think we’ve made it clear that we have goals and we want to fulfil our potential, I think we’ve also proved that I can feel the buzz around everyone for pre season with the games we have coming up and for the season to start already. Our plan is to simply keep reaching new heights and finish at the top.”

Manager Stephen Howson had the following to add, “I was very stressed waiting for the decision, it’s brilliant for the club to be where it is, after just two seasons. There’s real momentum on and off the pitch, and I think it’s infectious. There’s a real vibe about the place at the moment, everyone is excited about what this means, and the challenge it presents. The next few weeks are going to be hectic, we’re launching fan ownership on 1st June – I’ve had so many enquiries about it I can’t keep up – so can I just say, June 1st all information will be available, we’re announcing a new sponsor. Very soon. We have a new director of football who used to be head of academy at a professional club, which is enormous for bringing in some experience.

The club is moving fast. Our job right now is to keep the recruitment drive going, and prepare the teams for that start date. The league have told us to be ready to play come 30th of July, and we will be ready.”

Club Secretary David Pritt also added, “This is brilliant news for the club and is all down to Ste’s hard work getting the application and inspections ready. The club will go a slight reconfiguration now, the club will have teams staying in the L&C which will be renamed to Stretford Paddock Amateurs. The U21s and Development teams will retain their titles.”

Stay tuned for an exciting month of announcements from the Paddock as it’s set to be the biggest season yet.

Stretford Paddock as a club have just completed their second season, showing growth and development in all areas as the club is beginning to go from strength to strength. This season the club further expanded into four teams: Firsts, Reserves, Development Squad and U21s. An impressive collective that received rightful accolades on awards night – players, coaches and staff alike.

Stephen Howson started this project with lofty ambitions, and it looks as though those aspirations are slowly coming to fruition. The hosting of the first Stretford Paddock Awards night is a definitive milestone and a chance to show appreciation for all of those involved who made the season what it was.

There were 16 awards given out on the night, rewarding stand out performances and commitment for all involved.

The first award given out was the club’s goal of the season which went to Mikey Burke for his ridiculous solo effort against Abacus Media, indicative of the attacking season he had, marauding runs from right-back that became a staple of his game. The second award on the night was clubman of the year, which went to Mark Dempsey for his outstanding commitment and attitude. He helped to keep the development squad afloat early on in the season, acting as the glue that kept everything together whilst also being a standout performer on the pitch. Performances that also earned him development player of the year and players player of the year on the night. The third award was a staff award the club’s coach of the year which went to Matt Ahern for his continual growth in coaching and the remarkable job he did this year with the reserves this past season. The next awards of note were the U21 player of the year which went to Jeanpierre Balagazi and players player of the year which went to Ethan Handley for their impressive performances throughout the season. Reserve player of the year and players player of the year went to Ben Pearson and goalkeeper Johnny Hart who has been a mainstay at the club since its creation in 2019.

Now onto the first team awards on the night, a squad that endured an exciting but eventually disappointing season as they narrowly missed out on title glory. Nonetheless, there were some exhilarating individual performances this season that deserved accolades on the night. The first of the awards was the Young Player of the Year which went to Bouba Jenkins who electrified the first team this season with his all action midfield play, showing decision making and composure well beyond his years. Fans player of the year went to Mikey Burke whose bits of individual brilliance made him a walking highlight-reel all season, a fan favourite and a household name. But in the end, unsurprisingly, Kieron Molloy walked away with Stretford Paddock’s Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year for his outstanding return this season with 20 goals and 6 assists this season in 26 games as he was the catalyst for everything great paddock did this season.

Last but not least Stephen Howson awarded Josh Smith and Ieuan Evans with a Paddock Medal as a show of gratitude for their dedication. The Paddock Medal is for players or staff who exemplified the Stretford Paddock ethos, which is a team above self attitude – Ieuan, who played for basically every squad and accumulated the most minutes of any player at the club last season, and Josh Smith, who travelled to training and games all the way from Wolverhampton playing with spirit and commitment which changed the whole aura of the squad this season.

It was a truly special night and a first of many as the club looks to advance its way up the footballing pyramid.

Full List of Award Winners;

Goal of the season – Mikey Burke

Clubman of the year – Mark Dempsey

Coach of the year – Matt Ahern

U21 player of the year – Jeanpierre Balagizi

U21 players player of the year – Ethan Handley 

Development player of the year – Mark Dempsey 

Development players player of the year – Mark Dempsey 

Reserve player of the year – Ben Pearson

Reserve players player of the year – Johnny Hart 

Young player of the year – Bouba Jenkins

Fans player of the year – Mikey Burke

Players player of the year – Omar Sinclair

The Paddock Medal  – Josh Smith + Ieuan Evans

Stretford Paddock FC player of the year – Kieron Molloy 

Stretford Paddock finishes their season with an astonishing 8-0 win against Manchester Polonia. Despite a few up and downs, Howson’s side managed to secure a top 3 finish. They last played Polonia back in February, with a 2-0 win but, an underwhelming performance however, that wasn’t the case this time around.

Paddock made it clear they were out to be much more clinical this time around, looking to put Polonia to the sword from the beginning. As in the early embers of the Paddock broke the deadlock as Kieran Molloy received a precise ball over the top from Nosa, splitting the defence and slotting home cooly, adding to his growing top goal-scoring tally. The number 7 then sets up Sinclair with a 2-yard pass, where he places it top bins just inside the 8th minute. The Stretford side looked composed, as they played it out from the back. Burke then pings one over to Molloy, where he does what he does best and finds the back of the net.

Not even a quarter of the way into the match and Nosa makes it 4. Half time comes round fast and Howson gives his half-time pep talk, which clearly motivated Molloy to go on to get his second hattrick in two games and his 20th goal of the season. Super-sub Hamza Abuzour, despite fasting during Ramadam, strolls on the pitch to make it 6-0 and assist Joao De Andrade to make it 7-0. Joao De finishes Manchester Polonia to make 8-0.

Howson is overall satisfied with the player’s progress this season but is wanting to push them to their limits next season in the Cheshire League, believing that the club has come a long way and material success could be just around the corner.

Stretford Paddock returned to form in scintillating fashion as they dispatched Abacus Media 8-3 in their final home game of the season, a performance of energy and freedom, two things that have been a staple of all the better performances of Paddock this season. Howson couldn’t have asked for a better showing in the penultimate game of the season, convincingly beating one of the stronger teams in the league.

The main takeaway from the game were the quality of the goals, as at least two of the goals scored were goal of the season contenders in an attacking masterclass from the Paddock players. Much of the talk going into the game was star man Kieron Molloy and his urge to break Josh Smith’s all-time leading goal scorer record, and that’s exactly what he did; he didn’t just break the record, he shattered it. As he walked away with the match ball after a clinical display, notching his first hat-trick for the club and encapsulating what has been a stellar individual season. The game also saw a sensational solo effort from Mikey Burke and a screamer from Cam Watters from the edge of the area, undoubtedly two of the best goals this season and were illustrative of the confidence Paddock played with throughout the game. Joao Andrade also capped off a strong performance with a brace, rewarded for his energy and endeavour in what was a very complete attacking performance from the team, with the only disappointment being the goals that were conceded, all of which were avoidable as Gimenez was at fault for the goals.

It was a day that also saw the debuts of Nico McGrath, Joe Kelly and Josh Hollobon as more and more new faces are expected going into the new season as Stretford Paddock continue to expand and improve, with big things anticipated within the next 18 months. It’s a club that continues to build and will look to continue its way up the football pyramid.

Stretford Paddock returns to action in what feels like a miniature hiatus, after suffering back to back defeats to their two biggest rivals, ending their season in the process. A season that promised so much has had a bitter end, a season without silverware wasn’t one that Howson anticipated but the season, in summary, isn’t all doom and gloom as it’s another season in the books for what is still a very new and ambitious football club.

Paddock now have two games remaining, the first one being against an Abacus Media side with enough quality to be a tough game. However, both teams have little to play for so the concern is the game takes on a bit of a ‘testimonial’ feel, but there is also the opportunity for both sides to take some momentum into the offseason and finish the season strong. Abacus Media are coming off a back to back defeat themselves, including a 6-1 defeat to North Walkden last time out. With the added confidence of beating Abacus Media 4-2 in the reverse fixture and will be looking to repeat that feat on the weekend.

One thing we will once again be looking out for will be for Kieron Molloy on record watch as he is still one goal away from coming Stretford Paddock’s all-time leading goal scorer, a record he will be keen to break before the end of the season. Especially after drawing blank in his two previous games, he will be looking to finally get over the line.

It’s the final home game of the season before Paddock look to play at potential new pastures next season, so Howson will undoubtedly want to see his men finish strong.

It was another crushing defeat as Paddock have now suffered back to back losses for the first time this season, in arguably the two biggest games of the season. Howson’s men were knocked out of the Rhodes Cup after suffering a 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals De La Salle Reds, which ensures that Paddock will end the season trophyless. It was also the third time De La Salle had beaten Stretford Paddock this season, with this particular loss being bound to hurt the most.

There was no love lost between the two sides in a game filled with hostility which for the most part overshadowed the actual quality of the game. Howson reiterated all week the need to keep things tight early as Paddock have picked up the habit of starting slow and giving themselves a mountain to climb, but once again, Paddock found themselves 2-0 in the first 11mins, and it was all but game over. The first goal was a goalmouth scramble, but absolutely nothing could have been done about the second; a 30-yard wonder strike that nestled into the top corner and sucked the life out of the visitors. It was a scrappy affair after with Paddock struggling to create chances for the majority of the game with the only lease of life coming from a dubious offside call against Kieron Molloy that prevented him from going in on goal and possible beginning a potential fightback for Paddock. Where highlights then showed that Molloy was at least two yards onside and was unlucky to see the linesman’s flag.

This result all but put an end to the season as Paddock also debuted their highly touted green and gold kit, which proved to be no good omen as the lads bowed out in disappointing fashion—hopefully bringing about a chip on the shoulder for Howson and his men as they go for glory once again next season.

On the back of a title crushing defeat at the hands of Moston Brook a fortnight ago, Paddock look towards a weekend of possible redemption as they take on title challenging foes De La Salle Reds in the semi-finals of the Rhodes Cup. 

It’s a final grudge match against a side that is odds on to come away with the league title after an imperious season. The side from Salford are one of the 111 remaining unbeaten sides in non league football with an impressive record of 15 games unbeaten which is one of the best records in the country. Paddock will need to be at their absolute best if they want to knock out an in-form side that have scored 16 goals in their last three games, carrying all the momentum going into the semi final.

Howson has been chomping at the bit since the disappointment of the of the Moston Brook defeat, and has since been trying to instil a sense of urgency back into his team. Demanding a reaction, reiterating to his players to not dwell on the disappointment of the league defeat and realise this is the last opportunity to win some silverware this season as well as get one over on their bitter rivals that have already defeated them twice this season. Kieron Molloy still sits on 14 goals, one shy of breaking the all time goal scoring record at the club, and Paddock will need him fit and firing as he has been in red hot form this season. He did have to hobble off at half time against Moston Brook due to a groin issue but the weekend off came as a welcome surprise, giving him the time to regain fitness before the biggest game left this season.

Everything is at stake for Howson and his men; pride, dignity and glory. With a place in the Rhodes Cup Final at stake, it’s a game where nothing but Paddock’s very best will do if they are to come away with the spoils.

Stretford Paddock’s title hopes come crashing down as they are beaten comfortably 3-1 at home to Moston Brook FC. It was a must-win game for the reds but they came up short, all but securing a 3rd place position having had the title in their sights. Stretford Paddock have now failed to beat title-chasing rivals Moston Brook and De La Salle in six appearances against the sides, losing four of them and drawing the other two – it’s the failure to win when it mattered most against who it mattered most that has been the undoing of Paddock’s season, sending them to a likely rightful third-place finish.

Stretford Paddock started the game on their heels and were 2-0 in under five minutes, giving them a mountain to climb against the sturdiest defence in the league. After a hellacious start from the visitors the game settled down, and the game continued to lack any real quality on a difficult surface, making it increasingly difficult for Paddock to get back into the game. Instead, it was Moston Brook who then came closest to extending their lead with a well-directed header hitting the inside of the post before being scrambled away to safety.

The second half was very much the same, in what became a very scrappy and low-quality game. However, Paddock were able to knick a goal back courtesy of Bouba Jenkins with a tap-in from close range after a strike from Cam Watters. Giving Howson’s men a glimmer of hope, but the lads were unable to capitalise or gain any momentum as Moston Brook extended their lead late on from a moment of brilliance, it was an exquisite touch and finish from their forward, all but sealing Paddock’s fate and putting the game to bed.

Paddock’s only hope at silverware for the rest of the season will be the Rhode’s cup where the lads will be hoping they can learn from the loss and use it to fuel them to potential cup glory.

In what is arguably the most anticipated game in Stretford Paddock’s short time as a football club. Howson’s men will face off against Moston Brook on the weekend in a title-defining clash. The build-up to the game has been intense as there is no love lost between the two sides, it’s a game that carries enormous weight, and with the end of the season in sight, it could very much be a game that will determine who ends the season empty-handed.

The last time these two teams met, they shared the spoils in a match that ended 2-2, in a very even game that was hotly contested, and this match promises to be no different. As things stand, Paddock still sit top of the league on 37 points, with Moston Brook perched just one point behind them with three games to go. De La Salle are still in prime position as they are three points off the top with a game in hand, all but securing the title if they win out the rest of the way; such is the difference in goal difference between Paddock and De La Salle.

Kieron Molloy goes into the game level with Josh Smith as the all-time Stretford Paddock goal scorer on 14 goals with the chance to break it in the biggest game of the season; he’s been in red hot form and will need to continue it against a very stout Moston Brook defence. A player for Paddock to keep an eye on however will be Moston Brook striker Jack Ward who is the league’s top scorer with a staggering 29 goals this season in just 18 games. An attacking side that boasts the best goal difference in the league, Paddock’s defence will have to be on red alert this weekend if they are to come away with the victory. Howson has reiterated that it’s the biggest game he’s ever managed and nothing but 100% from his players will do.

The overall importance of this game can’t be understated, a season of blood sweat and tears all comes down to this on Saturday afternoon. The match will be held at Valley Road, Flixton, Manchester, M41 8RQ in a ground that holds upwards of 2000 people. Make sure to make your way down and show support for the boys as it’s a match that definitely won’t disappoint.