DROYLSDEN FC met the criteria to be given the thumbs up to return to football’s pyramid, officials have confirmed.
After almost three years away, the Bloods were given a place in the North West Counties League (NWCFL) structure for the 2023/24 season.
Fans will now meet on Sunday, May 28 as they try to raise the £10,000 needed in order for the Butchers Arms stadium, which stands on the corner of Market Street and Greenside Lane, to gain a safety certificate.
If that is achieved, supporters would be allowed into Division One North matches.
And the league itself has confirmed to The Correspondent all criteria were met after meeting officials and reviewing their application.
NWCFL chairman Paul Lawler said: “Droylsden followed the regulations for the National League System and applied by the January 31 deadline.
“The league met them and they satisfy all of the requirements for membership so we were able to recommend to the FA that they be reintroduced to the system as a new club.”
Jobs on Droylsden’s to do list include replacing bird netting and roof netting and steam cleaning and a full clean down including removal of pigeon mess and accumulation of moss.
Yellow safety floor markings are needed, some of the perimeter fencing needs replacing and parts of the William Pace Stand, which was vandalised during the lockdown, need repairing.
There is also ‘a multitude of sundry jobs’ to be done, including repainting, weeding and cleaning.
According to Football Association guidance: “The NWCFL applied for Droylsden FC to receive membership of the National League System.
“This was accepted and the club has been placed at step six.”
They are set to face Yorkshire side Route One Rovers, who were promoted and Runcorn Town, who received a reprieve from relegation.
No Tameside clubs are in NWCFL Division One North but Abbey Hey, who lie just three miles away, have been placed in Division One South.