DROYLSDEN FC’S bid for promotion has received a huge boost with the rapid return of Caelan Kilheeney.
The midfielder had departed for North West Counties (NWCFL) Premier Division side Chadderton FC.
But just a month later, he is back at the Butchers Arms and chairman/manager Dave Pace is delighted to have him again.
Kilheeney made his ‘debut’ in the 4-1 friendly defeat by Glossop North End, with many Bloods supporters surprised to see him in the number eight shirt.
He scored the home side’s goal with a penalty in a match dominated by spot kicks.
Several trialists featured as starting goalkeeper Jordan Latham limped off just a couple of minutes in, with his replacement conceding two!
Pace, however, believes his side will form as ore-season goes on ahead of an attempt to go one better than last season’s play-off final heartbreak that leaves them in the NWCFL’s First Division North.
He said: “It’s a good sign that Caelan’s come back.
“He went away but, obviously, he just liked it here so much, he’d like to come back.
“But he’s a quality player and one I’d like to build the team around. We’ve got three or four more players coming in from higher up the leagues too.”
Droylsden begin their league campaign at home to AFC Blackpool on Saturday, July 26.
However, the early start has forced him to rejig some of his transfer plans, with some not arriving until after the beginning.
He added: “With those coming from higher up, their season starts later than ours. So, they booked holidays.
“One or two of the ones who’ve agreed to join us are in holiday. So we’ve got quite a few players out at the moment that are coming in.
“But I’m confident that when the season starts, we’ll be in position to go that bit further.
“These are games we want to play and see whether the trialists are good enough to step in. You have to see them all.
“But in another couple of games’ time, I should be getting more of an idea of my starting team.”
After losing out on promotion with a 2-0 home play-off final defeat by Euxton Villa last season Droylsden’s aim is simple – win the league.
Pace told The Correspondent: “That’s the aim, not going into the play-offs again. Definitely not.”