A deeper look into the roots of Dronfield Football Club
July 2020
One evening, after a 5 a side games, a group of friends spearheaded by Chairman Luke Russell came up with the idea of starting a new Sunday League club, initially the team was to enter the Sheffield Imperial League. With a group of friends and a secondhand kit, Dronfield FC was formed and was to be based out of Graves Park.
September 2020
Following a rushed preseason, the team came together one cold, wet Sunday morning to face Stannington in our first ever competitive match. Whilst the result didn’t go our way, it was the start of the club we have today.
April 2021
In a season which saw us go on an 3 month unbeaten run, we eventually finished in 9th as we struggled for consistent squads following the Christmas break, never the less, the season was a great success and provided great optimism for the coming season.
December 2021
After a mixed season, and many postponements, the season was brough to halt as the global pandemic took full grip on the grassroots football.
March 2022
Following months of lockdown and lack of football, the government eased restrictions and whilst the league was declared void, the league committee came up with the Europa League competition. Following a win and a defeat in the first two group games, we went into the final game knowing a win and we’d be through. Unfortunately, we played a strong Crown Inn team and were beaten 9-1 in what became many players last match.
April 2022
Following just two seasons in the Sheffield Imperial League, many of the original players left citing work and social activities as the reason. During a period in which the club looked as though it would fold, chairman Luke Russell remained positive and through hard work managed to keep the club going. With only 3 players remaining (Luke Wordsworth, Bradley Marsden and Morgan Hudson), the preseason was a bit mixed.
June 2022
After months of discussions, Dronfield FC moved from Graves Park and back into the town after agreeing with junior side Abbey Lane to rent their Cowley Lane pitch. Not only did the club move pitches, but moved leagues as an application was approved for the side to play in the Chesterfield and District Sunday League. A new era had begun.
March 2023
After a successful first season in the Chesterfield Leagues, the committee made the decision to enter a Saturday side into the Sheffield Fair Play League. With Ethan Wymer as the Captain and Coach, the side played the required grading games and was accepted into the league.
June 2023
After 3 years, it was decided a rebranding was required and so the committee began creating a new logo and eventually settled on the logo we see today.
January 2024
After months of discussions, it was finally announced that Dronfield FC would have a permanent home, as Luke Russell announced he’d signed the lease of 9.7 acres of local playing fields. With it signaled a change in structure as the club became a registered CIC.
May 2024
After announcing the site, the club set about filling the pitches and growing. Following positive discussions and U12 and U14 side were created to act as the first building blocks of a junior section. An application was made for a second Saturday side in the County Senior League and a Women’s 1XI was added to the club.
June 2024
Not only was our 1XI accepted into the Non-League System (at step 9) a merger was agreed between Dronfield FC, Dronfield Wanders and Royal Oak FC. The three clubs would come together to form two Sunday sides which would be Dronfield FC Oak and Dronfield FC Wanderers, with Oak taking the league placing of the old DFC side.
July 2024
The second most significant date in the history of club came in July as it was announced that Daniel Thomas Loitz would join the club as Co-Chairman in a move that would provide significant funding for ground development and further resources for the club to grow, including a link with Halifax Women in Tier 3.
