05 - Stalybridge Celtic vs Bamber Bridge

THE OFFICIAL STALYBRIDGE CELTIC MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | SEASON 2022/2023 

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION #5 

BOWER BULLETIN 

>⃝● v. Bamber Bridge 

>⃝● Tuesday 13 th September 2022 

>⃝● 7:45pm kick-off 

THE OFFICIAL STALYBRIDGE CELTIC MATCH DAY PROGRAMME 

MAIN SPONSOR 

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1

HONOURS LIST 

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB 


LIMITED COMPANY NUMBER 00292254 

MEMBERS OF: THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, 

CHESHIRE COUNTY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, 

PITCHING IN NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE 

PRESIDENT: GERALD CROSSLEY 

PATRON: LORD PENDRY OF STALYBRIDGE 

LIFE VICE-PRESIDENTS: SUE BOWERS, KEVIN 

BOWERS, PETER DENNERLY, JOHN HALL, 

JOHN MANDRYK, MARTYN TORR, NICK SHAW, 

GERALD CROSSLEY 

CHAIRMAN & MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER: 

ROBERT GORSKI 

DIRECTORS: GORDON GREENWOOD, KEITH 

SMART, 

BILL MCCALLUM, ARTHUR BOSWELL, STEVE TATE, 

KEITH TRUDGEON, ANDREW SEDDON, AFSHIN 

MIRTORABI, STEVE LOCKEY & PHIL HALL 

Northern Premier League - Premier Division 

Champions 1992, 2001 Runners-Up 1991 

Northern Premier League - Division One 

Runners-Up 1988 

North West Counties League - 

Division One Champions 1984, 1987 

North West Counties League - 

Reserve Division 

Runners-Up 1983 

Cheshire County League Champions 1980 

Runners-up 1978 

Cheshire County League - 

Reserve Division Runners-up 1982 

Southern League - Division Two Runners-Up 1915 

Lancashire Combination Runners-Up 1917 

Lancashire Combination - Division Two 

Champions 1912 Runners-Up 1913 

Lancashire Combination - 

Southern Division Champions 1916 

Lancashire Combination - 

Manchester Section Champions 1919 

Lancashire & Cheshire Amateur League 


South East Lancashire League 


Manchester League Runners-Up 1963 

Northern Premier League Challenge Cup Winners 

1999 

Northern Premier League President’s Cup 

Winners 2001, 2003 

Northern Premier League Challenge Shield 

Winners 1992 Finalists 1999 

North West Counties League Challenge Cup 

Finalists 1984 

North West Counties League Challenge Shield 


TEAM MANAGER: CHRIS WILLCOCK 

ASSISTANT MANAGER: LINCOLN ADAMS 

GOALKEEPER COACH: JOHN STEWART 

HEAD PHYSIOTHERAPIST: DAVID POVER M.F.H.T 

FIRST TEAM ANALYST: WARREN NOLAN 

ACADEMY CHAIRMAN: IAN MILLIGAN 

ACADEMY HEAD COACH: DEAN BRATHWAITE 

CLUB SECRETARY: PHIL HALL 

HEAD OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS: 

TARAN DHAMRAIT 

WEBMASTER: DEBORAH TAYLOR 

CLUB PHOTOGRAPHER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER: 

PHILL SMITH 

PROGRAMME EDITOR: RICHARD GREENWOOD 

COMMISSIONAIRE: JAY LUCAS 

PA ANNOUNCER: CHRISTOPHER TIPPING 

MATCHDAY / FINANCIAL OPERATIONS: 

MICHAEL BRIERLEY & PAT BESWICK 

Cheshire County League Challenge Cup 

Winners 1922 Finalists 1947, 1982 

Cheshire County League Challenge Shield 


South East Lancashire League Challenge Cup 

Winners 1938 Runners-Up 1939 

Manchester League Open Trophy Winners 1963 

Manchester League Gilcryst Cup Finalists 1949 

Cheshire Senior Medal Competition Finalists 1920 

Cheshire Senior Cup Winners 1953, 2001 

Finalists 1912, 1955, 1981, 2006, 2012, 2013 

Manchester Senior Cup Finalists 1923 

Ashton Challenge Cup 

Winners 1914, 1915, 1920, 1921, 1927, 1936, 1937, 

1938, 1939, 1947, 1950, 1953, 1955 

Finalists 1911, 1913, 1916, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1948, 

1954, 1956, 1957, 1960 

Manchester Challenge Shield Finalists 1955 

Manchester Intermediate Cup 

Winners 1958, 1969 Finalists 1957, 1968, 1970 

Manchester Junior Cup Winners 1963 

Altrincham Senior Cup Winners 1919 

North West Floodlit Cup Finalists 1966 

Lancashire Floodlit Cup Winners 1989 

Finalists 1990 

Reporter Floodlit Cup Finalists 1974, 1975 

The Football League Founder Members Division 

Three North 1920-1922 

Football Conference 1992-98, 2001-02 

GLS Cup Finalists 2005 

Blue Square Conference Play-off Finalists 2008 

2 

THE OFFICIAL STALYBRIDGE CELTIC MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

WELCOME TO BOWER FOLD 

FROM THE CHAIRMAN, ROB GORSKI 

Good evening and a warm welcome 

to Bower Fold. We welcome everyone 

associated with Bamber Bridge and we 

wish everyone a safe journey home. 

On the pitch, obviously the defeat to 

Lancaster was a very bitter pill to swallow. It 

was a major blow to the gaffer, the players, 

the fans and – of course – a monumental 

financial blow to the club’s coffers. More 

so because we had an eminently winnable 

tie hosting Bury in the next round, with the 

visitors likely to bring a very hefty crowd 

with them. There is no doubt that the loss 

has cost the club a significant, five figure, 

sum. The financial ramifications of the 

defeat will be felt long and hard. 

However, pessimists rarely succeed 

in life and it is imperative that we dust 

ourselves down and move on. The defence 

still remains very resilient, Raul looked 

incredibly strong, capable and fit on 

Tuesday night and he just needs service 

to start scoring. In midfield, it looks like 

Harry Benns will be a great addition once 

he is fully fit. Cesaire looked impressive on 

Tuesday and Moses is obviously no longer 

cup-tied. I would argue that there is a very 

impressive foundation there to build upon. 

Yes, without question, we need to create 

far, FAR more in the final third. However, 

once we start to gel ‘up top’ (with players 

returning from injury and/or brought in to 

the club), then I believe Raul will then be 

able to thrive. Right now, he’s having to 

almost make his own opportunities and our 

weakness is patently obvious to everyone. 

No one is more aware than Chris himself. I 

have every confidence that the gaffer will 

address the issue and the goals will start to 

flow. 

I wrote weeks ago that clubs up and 

down the country will struggle this winter 

with rampant inflation and the tripling of 

electricity bills. Liz Truss’s proposals will 

be welcomed by 

most households, 

but they will still 

not be enough and it 

would not surprise me in the 

slightest if a number of non-league clubs 

enter administration as the repercussions 

of increased utility bills are felt during the 

depth of a cold winter. 

It is therefore imperative that we all try and 

support fundraisers over the months ahead. 

We are planning a race night next Friday 

and we hope to have a number of other 

events in the months ahead. PLEASE try 

to attend. The race night will be a chance 

to have a few drinks with friends, enjoy 

a little flutter, maybe win a bob or two, 

whilst simultaneously helping the club by 

participating in the evening. 

Elsewhere, the club has entered into a deal 

with a local entrepreneur and publican. 

Ian is about to open our Sponsor’s Lounge 

as the ‘Celtic Wine Bar and Grill’ in the 

evenings. From a business point of view, 

we believe that this will give the club a little 

more revenue, while it also gives the fans 

the opportunity to start using the lounge on 

match days again for meals, beers and fun 

times. We encourage fans to see what the 

new lounge looks like and book with family 

or friends for the next available game. It is 

our plan to have ex-managers and players 

at certain functions. Nick Shaw (big thanks 

Nick) has one arranged with Wraggy and 

the 79/early-80s team. Again, please do 

support the club (as well as having a fab 

time), by attending such gatherings. Keep 

checking our social media for information. 

Enjoy tonight’s game and get behind the 

lads! 

Rob Gorski 


3

FOUR LETTER WORD: 

Stuart Vallantine, Tuesday 13th September 2022 

Four games, one goal 

Great defence on the whole 

Too few goals could take our toll 

On our season as a whole. 

In defence, we can be right brutes 

It’s great to see us park the bus. 

We need to dust our shouting boots 

Whilst the fans still care about us. 

It’s Groundhog Day again: 

Another night of F.A. Cup pain. 

They see our name and think it’s a Bye 

‘Out again’, a too familiar sigh. 

Bouncebackability: 

that’s the key word. 

“Builds confidence and 

grit”, I’ve heard. 

Show the doubters we can score 

Two or four shall do for sure. 

As another Bridge comes our way 

There’s another dimension. 

We can take the knocks and day, 

Bag some goals and show 

determination. 

4 


AD-105x148-KIO-Take A Stand.indd 1 03/02/2021 08:48

MANAGER’S NOTES 

WITH THE GAFFER CHRIS WILLCOCK 

Good evening and welcome to Bower Fold for 

tonight’s fixture with Bamber Bridge. 

It’s been a week now since we were last in action and 

I’m sure everyone was hugely frustrated after the FA Cup 

result at Lancaster. 

It was gutting to go out after a goal in extra time. The lads put in 100% effort 

again and we had some really good chances of our own to go and win the tie 

which made it even more heartbreaking to concede so late on. 

We’ve picked ourselves back up though and will look to record a good result 

tonight. We’ve had a full week to work on things and continue improving as we 

get ready for a very busy period. 

Please stick with us and continue to support the team. It was great to see so 

many of you at Lancaster backing the players. 

Enjoy the game. 

Gaffer 


5

PHOTOGRAPHY WITHOUT THE FUSS 

Call us on 07915 717003 or drop us an email info@phillsmithphotography.co.uk 

BIRTHDAY PARTIES • CHRISTENINGS • BABY SHOWERS 

SPORTING EVENTS • CORPORATE FUNCTIONS • PORTRAITS 

FAMILY SHOOTS • WEDDINGS • PET SHOOTS

UPDATE FROM THE SECRETARY 

WITH PHIL HALL 

Good evening and welcome to Bower Fold for 

our latest league game as we welcome our 

friends from Bamber Bridge. 

The news of the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the 

only monarch most of us has ever known continues to 

dominate our thoughts, and like everyone else, my deepest 

sympathies to the Royal Family and everyone affected by her passing. 

Both tonight and Saturday we will observe a minute’s silence before kick-off 

and the players will wear black armbands. 

Last Tuesday’s defeat at the hands of Lancaster City once again saw our FA 

Cup hopes and dreams shattered far too early. Our inability to find the net 

led to us crashing out of the cup at a gloomy Giant Axe, when the equally 

shot-shy home side finally managed to conjure up the only goal of the tie in 

extra time. 

We wish them the best of luck in the next round against AFC Bury. 

The lack of goals has been a hot topic on the forum and no doubt on 

the terraces but believe me there is no one more frustrated than the 

management team with the failure to find the net. 

To try and rectify the situation today sees the addition of 2 new faces to 

the matchday squad, with the arrival of Luke Hinsley from Belper Town and 

Domaine Rouse who joins us from Ramsbottom United. 

In fixture news, on Saturday we entertain Nantwich Town after last 

weekend’s games were postponed as a mark of respect, and a week today 

we make the short trip to Abbey Hey in the Frank Hannah Manchester 

Premier Cup. 

Also don’t forget that our under 18s take on Radcliffe FC at the Neuven 

Stadium in the FA Youth Cup tomorrow night. I’m sure the young Celts would 

appreciate your support if you can make it along. Admission is £2 on the 

gate. 

Enjoy the game. 

Phil 


7

IMAGE GALLERY 

LANCASTER CITY 

VIEW FULL GALLERY 

8 



9

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC’S 

2022/2023 SQUAD 

Greg HALL 

Connor LEACH 

Kyle HARRISON 

Ben WOODS 

Sponsored by 

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Cesaire LINGOUBA 

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STALYBRIDGE CELTIC’S 

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Aarron GREWAL 

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Tinashe CHAKWANA 

Sponsored by 

AVAILABLE 

Raul CORREIA 

Sponsored by 

STEPHEN & 

BERYL TATE 

Chris WILLCOCK 

Manager 

Lincoln ADAMS 

Assistant Manager 

Warren NOLAN 

First Team Analyst 

Dave POVER 

Physio 

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Please contact secretary@stalybridgeceltic.co.uk 

if you would like to sponsor one of the above players. 


11

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LATEST LEAGUE TABLE 

# Team Pl HW HD HL AW AD AL W D L F A Diff Pts 

1. South Shields 7 3 1 0 1 2 0 4 3 0 10 5 5 15 

2. Ashton United 6 2 1 0 2 0 1 4 1 1 9 5 4 13 

3. Stafford Rangers 7 2 0 1 2 1 1 4 1 2 11 9 2 13 

4. Marske United 6 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 2 1 11 7 4 11 

5. Warrington Town 6 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 2 1 8 5 3 11 

6. Radcliffe 6 2 0 1 1 2 0 3 2 1 8 6 2 11 

7. Matlock Town 7 2 2 0 1 0 2 3 2 2 7 6 1 11 

8. Hyde United 7 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 6 6 0 11 

9. Warrington Rylands 6 2 0 1 1 1 1 3 1 2 11 8 3 10 

10. Guiseley 7 1 0 2 2 1 1 3 1 3 7 8 -1 10 

11. Morpeth Town 6 2 0 1 1 0 2 3 0 3 10 7 3 9 

12. Marine 7 1 2 0 1 1 2 2 3 2 8 6 2 9 

13. Bamber Bridge 7 1 3 0 1 0 2 2 3 2 10 12 -2 9 

14. Atherton Collieries 7 0 0 3 2 2 0 2 2 3 5 6 -1 8 

15. Stalybridge Celtic 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 -1 8 

16. FC United of Manchester 7 0 1 2 2 0 2 2 1 4 9 8 1 7 

17. Gainsborough Trinity 6 0 2 1 1 2 0 1 4 1 6 5 1 7 

18. Lancaster City 6 0 3 0 1 1 1 1 4 1 3 2 1 7 

19. Nantwich Town 7 1 1 2 0 2 1 1 3 3 5 7 -2 6 

20. Liversedge 7 0 0 4 1 1 1 1 1 5 6 13 -7 4 

21. Belper Town 7 0 1 2 1 0 3 1 1 5 5 17 -12 4 

22. Whitby Town 6 0 0 3 0 1 2 0 1 5 3 9 -6 1 


13

14 

RESULTS, FIXTURES & STATISTICS 2022/23 


Date Opposition Att. Score Res Pts Scorers 

Sat Aug 13, 2022 SOUTH SHIELDS 2,001 0-2 L 0 - 

Tue Aug 16, 2022 WARRINGTON TOWN 401 0-1 L 0 - 

Sat Aug 20, 2022 LANCASTER CITY 421 1-0 W 3 Correia (p) 

Tue Aug 23, 2022 MATLOCK TOWN 594 1-1 D 4 Woods 

Sat Aug 27, 2022 GUISELEY 351 0-0 D 5 - 

Mon Aug 29, 2022 LIVERSEDGE 546 1-0 W 8 Liptrott 

Sat Sep 3, 2022 LANCASTER CITY (FA CUP 1Q) 349 0-0 D - - 

Tue Sept 6, 2022 LANCASTER CITY (FA CUP 1QR) 193 0-1 L - - 

Tue Sept 13, 2022 BAMBER BRIDGE 

Sat Sept 17, 2022 NANTWICH TOWN 

Tue Sept 20, 2022 ABBEY HEY (MSC) 

Sat Sept 24, 2022 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 

Tue Sept 27, 2022 BELPER TOWN 

Sat Oct 1, 2022 MORPETH TOWN 

Tue Oct 5, 2022 RADCLIFFE 

Sat Oct 8, 2022 ISUZU FA TROPHY 3Q 

Tue Oct 11, 2022 MARSKE UNITED 

Sat Oct 15, 2022 ASHTON UNITED 

Tue Oct 18, 2022 MARINE 

Sat Oct 22, 2022 WHITBY TOWN 

Sat Oct 29, 2022 ISUZU FA TROPHY 1 

Sat Nov 5, 2022 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 

Sat Nov 12, 2022 STAFFORD RANGERS 

Sat Nov 19, 2022 ATHERTON COLLIERIES 

Sat Nov 26, 2022 WARRINGTON RYLANDS 

Sat Dec 3, 2022 WARRINGTON TOWN 

Sat Dec 10, 2022 SOUTH SHIELDS 

Sat Dec 17, 2022 MATLOCK TOWN 

Mon Dec 26, 2022 HYDE UNITED 

Mon Jan 2, 2023 LIVERSEDGE 

Sat Jan 7, 2022 LANCASTER CITY 

Sat Jan 14, 2023 RADCLIFFE 

Sat Jan 21, 2022 NANTWICH TOWN 

Sat Jan 28, 2023 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 

Sat Feb 4, 2022 BAMBER BRIDGE 

Tue Feb 7, 2022 MARINE 

Sat Feb 11, 2023 WHITBY TOWN 

Sat Feb 18, 2022 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 

Sat Feb 25, 2023 STAFFORD RANGERS 

Wed Mar 1, 2022 EMIRATES FA CUP 5 

Sat Mar 4, 2023 BELPER TOWN 

Sat Mar 11, 2022 ISUZU FA TROPHY 6 

Sat Mar 18, 2022 MORPETH TOWN 

Sat Mar 25, 2023 ASHTON UNITED 

Sat Apr 1, 2022 MARSKE UNITED 

Sat Apr 8, 2022 GUISELEY 

Mon Apr 10, 2023 HYDE UNITED 

Sat Apr 15, 2022 WARRINGTON RYLANDS 

Sat Apr 22, 2023 ATHERTON COLLIERIES 


MATCH PREVIEW 

WITH DEBORAH TAYLOR 

After the weekend’s postponement, Celtic are back in action 

on Tuesday against Bamber Bridge. Bamber Bridge are 

currently two places above Celtic in 13th, one point ahead 

on nine. Kick-off is 7:45 with tickets available on the gate or 

online. 

With the same number of wins but one more draw than Celtic, Bamber 

Bridge are just ahead in the table. They started this season without a win in their opening four 

matches, losing 4-2 away at Stafford and 2-0 away at Warrington Rylands, and getting two 

2-2 home draws with Marske and Liversedge. Home and away wins against FC United (2-1) 

and (most recently) away at Guiseley 1-0, lifted them up the table. Their most recent match 

saw them draw 1-1 at home to Marine. They’re unbeaten at home this season and have one 

win and two losses away. 

Four different scorers have got two goals apiece this season, Finley Sinclair-Smith, Rhys 

Turner, Noah Alabi and Isaac Sinclair. Most of those goals came at home, with only Sinclair- 

Smith and Turner of those getting a goal away from home. They score an average of a goal 

per game away (1.4 overall) whilst conceding 2 goals per game (1.8 at home). They’ve kept 

only one clean sheet on the road this season (1-0 at Guiseley), and their only failure to score 

came away (2-0 at Warrington Rylands). 

We’ve met Bamber Bridge a number of times in the Northern Premier over the past 30 years. 

They won their last visit here in one of the few games of the second curtailed season, when 

they beat us 2-1, with Celtic’s goal coming from an own goal from Nathan Pond. That’s their 

only win at Bower Fold during that 30 year period. There have been two draws and three wins 

for Celtic in that time, our last win at Bower Fold coming in 2019, when Alistair Waddecar 

gave Bamber Bridge a first half lead, cancelling out Darius Osei’s early goal, only for Nathan 

Valentine and Craig Hobson to win it for Celtic in the second half. 

Moses Yoak is available for selection again, whilst both Theo Bailey-Jones and Harry Benns 

managed over an hour in the replay. Godwin Abadaki limped off at Lancaster and may join 

Ozzie and Ciaran Summers in being assessed, with the weekend break useful for all three. 

In Bamber Bridge’s last match, the 1-1 home 

draw with Marine, Bamber Bridge lined up as: 

In Celtic’s last match, the 1-0 away defeat in the 

Trophy to Lancaster City, Celtic lined up as: 

1 Felix Goddard 

2 Aaron Skinner 

3 Harvey Hughes 

4 Matthew Thomson 

5 Macauley Wilson 

6 Nathan Pond 

7 Sheldon Green 

8 David Perkins 

9 Paul Dawson 

10 Finley Sinclair-Smith 

11 Isaac Sinclair 

1 Greg Hall 

2 Kyle Harrison 

3 Ben Woods 

4 Cesaire Lingouba 

5 Dahrius Waldron 

6 Tom Miller 

7 Cameron Darkwah 

8 Harry Benns 

9 Raul Correia 

10 Godwin Abadaki 

11 Theo Bailey-Jones 

MATCH 

PREVIEW 


15

A LOOK AT 

BAMBER BRIDGE 

Football in Bamber Bridge can be 

traced back as far as the late 1800s. 

However, the present club was 

established in the summer of 1974 

when the old Bamber Bridge club 

amalgamated with neighboring outfit 

Walton-Le-Dale. The new club played 

at the King George’s Playing Field and 

the early years were marked with a 

high degree of success on the local 

football scene. 

Life began for the club in the Preston & 

District League Premier Division, lifting 

their first silverware in the 1975/76 

season. Plenty more medals followed, 

winning the league for the first time in 

1980/81, which brought a run of four 

successive titles. The League Cup was 

just as fruitful, enjoying wins in the 

competition on multiple occasions in the 

1970s. 

By the 1980s, further competition 

wins were on the cards, including the 

prestigious Lancashire FA Amateur Shield 

and by 1983 the club were able to fulfil 

ambitions and purchase their own ground. 

After four years Irongate was opened 

and by the 1990s the club were able to 

progress through the leagues, joining the 

North West Counties League. Finishing 

fourth in the Second Division in their first 

season, the championship followed a year 

later with promotion to the top flight. 

The 1992/93 season was among Brig’s 

most historic, earning promotion to the 

Northern Premier League First Division 

and a Semi-Final run in the FA Vase - just 

one game away from Wembley! 

Promotion was won again in 1994/95, 

while also lifting the league’s Challenge 

Cup, beating Bishop 

Auckland at Burnden 

Park, with the season then 

being followed up in style by lifting the 

Northern Premier League title. 

1996 saw the arrival of the European 

Championships to England, and in the 

Czech Republic’s preparation for the 

tournament, they faced Bamber Bridge 

with the likes of Karel Poborsky, Pavel 

Nedved and Patrick Berger using Irongate 

as a basecamp. 

A number of seasons in the Premier 

Division followed, but in 2002 the team 

dropped into the First Division again 

before the National League restructure 

saw promotion back up. 

Relegation followed though where the 

club say for a number of years and 

through different restructures. 

Ahead of the 2014/15 season, the passing 

of football legend and ‘Brig’ local Sir Tom 

Finney saw Irongate renamed as The Sir 

Tom Finney Stadium. 

Promotion back to the Premier League 

came for Bamber Bridge back in 2017/18 

in front of a bumper 1,628 crowd, where 

they have remained ever since, now 

under the stewardship of Jamie Milligan. 

In 2021/22, despite being favourites 

for relegation, the club surpassed 

expectations and finished in sixth place, 

missing out on the Play-Offs by just two 

points. 

It’s been a solid start to the campaign 

this season, keeping the nucleus of last 

season’s squad as they look to go that 

two points further this time out. 

16 


PLAYER PROFILES 

BAMBER BRIDGE 

JAMIE MILLIGAN 

[Manager] 

Former Everton, Blackpool 

and Fleetwood midfielder 

Jamie joined as first team 

manager after previously 

spending a number of 

seasons at Bamber Bridge 

as a player and coach. He was part of the 

promotion winning side of 2017/18 and also 

scored the opening goal in the 2-1 victory over 

Grantham Town in the 2017 League cup final. 

Jamie was appointed as Manager in the Autumn 

of 2019 and brings a wealth of experience 

of coaching to the role. During the 2021/22 

season, Jamie guided ‘Brig’ to their best league 

finish (sixth place) for 27 years. 

JOHN HILLS [Assistant Manager] 

Former Blackpool, Everton, Gillingham and 

Sheffield Wednesday defender, John joined the 

club as assistant manager in December 2019. 

Forced to retire early due to injury, John brings 

a wealth of coaching experience, having worked 

at a number of clubs including Fleetwood Town, 

Blackpool and AFC Fylde to name a few. 

PAIGE MORRIS [Physio] 

Paige joined the club just prior to the start of 

the 2020/21 season having previously been 

with local rivals Chorley. 

DANNY ROCCIA [Goalkeeper] 

Signed from Charnock Richard, Danny is a big 

personality within the team and has a wealth of 

experience in the goalkeeper position and will 

be hoping to re-establish himself as the club’s 

‘Number 1’ for the forthcoming season, having 

spent time out on loan at Longridge Town last 

season. 

FELIX GODDARD [Goalkeeper] 

Highly rated young goalkeeper Felix has joined 

on loan from neighbours Blackburn Rovers for 

the first half of the upcoming season. Felix has 

recently signed his first professional contract 

with Blackburn Rovers, having joined them from 

Manchester City in September 2020. A regular 

in Blackburn Rovers’ Under-18s side during the 

2021/22 season, Felix will be hoping to fight 

for the ‘Number 1’ shirt at the beginning of the 

season. 

MATTHEW THOMSON 

[Defender] 

Matty initially joined Brig on loan from National 

League North side Chester FC in 2019, before 

joining on a permanent basis in the summer of 

2020. A hard working right back who loves to 

get up and down the pitch, with a key strength 

being his delivery into the box. He’s become 

a fans favourite during his time with the club, 

given his consistent displays. 

MACAULEY WILSON 

[Defender] 

After a successful loan 

spell with the Brig while at 

Blackpool, Macauley then 

went on loan to AFC Fylde, 

and when released from 

Blackpool it was thought 

that he would sign for Fylde. They hesitated, 

and ‘Brig’ snapped him up. Macauley has been 

unfortunate with injuries and was side-lined for 

over 18 months through injury. However, since 

his recovery has become an integral part of 

the team at the heart of the defence, as well as 

fans favourite, and was named as club captain 

for the 2021/22 campaign, in which ‘Brig’ 

achieved their best league finish for 25 years. 

NATHAN POND [Defender] 

Nathan is a vastly experienced Football League 

player, who joined ‘Brig’ in October 2021. 

Originally from Preston, Nathan played for 

Fleetwood Town over a fifteen-year period. 

During this time, he played in seven divisions 

for the club, winning six promotions up to 

League One and is recognised by Guinness as 

holding the world record for appearing in the 

most different division’s with a single football 

club 

More recently Nathan has had spells at Salford 

City, AFC Fylde and AFC Telford United and is 

widely recognised for his defensive strength 

and leadership qualities. Internationally, he has 

also represented Monserrat, earning his first 

caps in 2019 and has most recently played for 

them during the summer just gone. 


17


BAMBER BRIDGE 

SKY SINCLAIR [Defender] 

Sky has joined Brig during the summer, having 

been released from Blackpool at the end of 

the 2021/22 season, and has impressed with 

some excellent displays during the pre-season 

campaign. Sky progressed through the youth 

ranks at Blackpool and was rewarded for his 

efforts and performances, with his first pro 

contract for the 2021/22 season. Sky is no 

stranger to the Northern Premier League, 

having featured in loan spells for both Nantwich 

and Lancaster City last season. 

CHRISTOPHER CHURCHMAN [Midfield] 

Chris is in his second spell at the club, after a 

spell at Clitheroe. A combative and intelligent 

midfield player, but can also fill a number of 

other roles within the team and will be looking 

to build on some impressive displays during 

the 2021/22 season and establish himself as a 

regular in the starting XI. 

DANNY FORBES 

[Midfielder] 

Danny is big and powerful 

and makes his presence 

felt either in midfield or in 

the heart of the defence, 

Danny signed for ‘Brig’ 

from Kendal Town. Danny 

spent the second half of the 2021/22 season 

dual registered with Longridge Town, putting in 

some impressive displays. 

AARON SKINNER [Defender/Midfielder] 

Aaron joined Brig midway through the 2021/22 

campaign following a successful trial, having 

previously been at Tottenham Hotspur in 

their youth set up. Aaron started his career in 

Bury’s Academy, representing the club from 

Under-12s up to Under-18 level. He then joined 

Tottenham after a short trial spell and after 6 

months in the club was rewarded for his efforts 

with his first professional contract. He left 

Tottenham at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. 

Aaron is an energetic and skilful player, who is a 

typical hard working ‘box-to-box’ player and is 

a real fans favourite for his committed displays 

during his time with the club. 

DAVID PERKINS 

[Midfielder] 

David is a vastly experienced 

ex-football league player, who played over 

400+ league games across the Championship, 

League One and League Two, for a number 

of clubs including; Barnsley, Blackpool, 

Colchester United, Rochdale, Tranmere Rovers 

and Wigan Athletic. David began his career 

with Morecambe in the early 2000s and was 

most recently with AFC Fylde. 

David joined ‘Brig’ during the summer, 

following some impressive displays in the heart 

of the midfield in Pre-Season. A defensive 

midfielder, who likes to get on the ball and 

dictate play, David will be looking to add some 

experience into the heart of the ‘Brig’ midfield. 

WILL RIDING [Midfielder] 

Will joined ‘Brig’ during the summer, having 

last featured for Longridge Town during the 

2021/22 season. Will is a young, pacy attacking 

winger who likes to get on the ball and take 

defenders on. 

Will started his career in Blackpool’s Academy 

in 2013, before then joining AFC Fylde, 

winning the North West Youth Alliance league 

championship during his time there. More 

recently, Will also had a spell at Charnock 

Richard. 

ISAAC SINCLAIR [Midfielder/Striker] 

Isaac joined the club from Curzon Ashton in 

September 2020 where he had a productive 

spell, Isaac is a pacey winger / striker who 

likes to attack opposing full backs and get to 

the goal line and put in crosses, he will be a 

forwards dream. Previous clubs also include 

Longridge Town and Isaac has experienced 

international football with the England School’s 

U18s side. 

Isaac was one of ‘Brig’s’ standout performers 

during the 2021/22 season, which was further 

highlighted as he won a clean sweep of end 

of season awards (Player’s Player, Manager’s 

Player and Supporter’s Player of the year 

awards), as well as ending the season as the 

clubs top scorer. Isaac will be hoping to pick 

18 



BAMBER BRIDGE 

up where he left off from last season, as he 

continues to grow as a player. 

FIN SINCLAIR-SMITH [Attacking Midfielder] 

Fin signed from fellow Northern Premier League 

side FC United of Manchester in September 

2021. Fin is an exciting, tricky, pacy winger, who 

has become a crowd favourite in his relatively 

short time at the club, with some impressive 

displays. Fin started his career at Blackpool 

in 2013 and scored on his senior debut, in a 

home draw against Wigan Athletic in August 

2017 in the EFL Trophy. Fin went on to sign a 

professional contract with Blackpool in May 

2018. 

Upon his release by Blackpool in the summer 

of 2019, Fin joined Longridge Town, before 

then moving to FC United of Manchester. Fin 

will be hoping to continue the excellent form 

he displayed towards the end of the 2021/22 

season as ‘Brig’ just missed out on the Playoffs. 

PAUL DAWSON [Midfielder] 

Paul re-joined the club for his second spell 

in November 2021 signing from Lancaster 

City, after some impressive early season 

performances caught the eye of the 

management team, and he was a key player for 

‘Brig’ during the Play-off charge in the 2021/22 

season, scoring 19 goals and contributing 7 

assists across the whole season. 

Paul started his career in Morecambe’s 

Academy, before joining Kendal Town for 

the 2017/18 season. It was whilst at Kendal 

that Paul was first spotted by the then ‘Brig’ 

management team, and after some impressive 

performances in his first spell was signed by 

Lancaster. After his impressive, committed 

displays, Paul has been appointed as the clubs 

Vice-Captain for the upcoming season and will 

be hoping to pick up from where he left off at 

the end of last season. 

LUKE DALY [Midfielder] 

Luke is an exciting, attacking midfielder, who 

joined the club this summer after most recently 

being at Matlock Town. Luke is no stranger 

to the Northern Premier League, having also 

previously had a two year 

spell at South Shields, 

moving from Droylsden in 

January 2019, however unfortunately this spell 

was interrupted by injuries. Upon his release, 

Luke then joined Curzon Ashton for the 2021/22 

campaign, before then moving to Matlock. 

Luke will be hoping to secure a regular spot in 

the ‘Brig’ first XI and demonstrate his abilities, 

with his energetic displays. 

RHYS TURNER [Striker] 

Rhys joined Brig in 

January 2022, signing 

from Lancaster City having 

impressed in the first half 

of the campaign. Preston 

born, Rhys had spells with 

the Preston North End and 

Lancaster City youth set ups, before signing 

for Stockport County as an 18 year old. Rhys 

subsequently had spells at Oldham Athletic, 

York City and Morecambe in the Football 

League, before finishing his professional career 

at Barrow due to a series of injuries. 

The ‘Brig’ faithful started to see glimpses of 

Rhys’ natural talent towards the end of the 

2021/22 campaign, and he’ll be looking to 

cement his place as the main striker for the 

upcoming campaign. 

BAMBER BRIDGE SQUAD DETAILS 


19

TODAY’S MATCHDAY PLAYLIST 

BY MARTIN RASCAL POLLITT 

1. 1. BORN TO RUN BY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 

2. 2. JANIE JONES BY THE CLASH 

3. 3. I WANNA BE SEDATED BY THE RAMONES 

4. 4. FALL BACK DOWN BY RANCID 

5. 5. CIGARETTES & ALCOHOL BY OASIS 

6. 6. HOUSE PARTY AT BOOTHY’S BY LITTLE MAN TATE 

7. 7. AWAY FROM HERE BY THE ENEMY 

8. 8. LOCAL BOY BY THE RIFLES 

9. 9. SATURDAY’S KIDS BY THE JAM 

10. 10. WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN BY THE STYLE COUNCIL 

11. 11. MAYFAIR BY THE QUIREBOYS 

12. 12. THIS IS THE ONE BY THE STONE ROSES 

13. 13. SWEET SOUL MUSIC BY THE JAM 

14. 14. THERE’S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE BY DEAN TAYLOR 

15. 15. MOVE ON UP BY THE JAM 

16. 16. ACE OF SPADES BY MOTORHEAD 

17. 17. TEENAGE KICKS BY THE UNDERTONES 

18. 18. DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO BY EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS 

19. 19. 68 GUNS BY THE ALARM 

20. 20. VICTORIA BY THE KINKS. 

LISTEN TO TONIGHT’S PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY 

20 


#ANDYSMANCLUB 

ALL OUR GROUPS 

MEET MONDAY 7PM 

SUICIDE IS THE BIGGEST 

KILLER OF MEN UNDER 45 

1 MAN EVERY 2 HOURS 

TO FIND YOUR NEAREST 

GROUP VISIT OUR WEBSITE 

WWW.ANDYSMANCLUB.CO.UK 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION 

info@andysmanclub.co.uk 

andysmanclub 

WWW.ANDYSMANCLUB.CO.UK 

andysmanclubuk 

@andysmanclubuk 

We are a peer to peer support group for men. 

Come have a brew and a chat! 

#ITSOKAYTOTALK

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 2022/2023 

NEW HOME & AWAY SHIRTS 

Celtic is excited to reveal its 2022-23 home and away shirts. 

Made by Hope and Glory and sponsored by Dream Bi Folding Doors, Celtic’s new home 

shirt features a bold pattern in the clubs traditional blue and white colours and also 

features a newly designed club crest. 

Celtic’s away shirt is a brightly coloured teal which includes a shade of blue towards the 

top. 

Greg Hall will wear a green camouflaged style shirt alongside our home kit with a yellow 

and grey variant completing the clubs away kit. 

Both home and away shirts are available to order now via the Hope & Glory online store. 

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR SHIRTS 

22 


THE HALF TIME QUIZ: 

FINGERS ON THE BUZZER… 

We’re getting to that point in the season where points will really start to matter, but 

can you get the point scoring up over your friends on the terraces this afternoon? Half 

time is here and it’s time to make the most of that with our quickfire quizzes… 

SPOT THE BALL: 

If you fancy free entry for a Bridge home game of your choice then be fastest finger first in this 

week’s Spot the Ball comp. All you need to do to enter is head over to our Twitter or Facebook 

account at half time and drop your answer in the replies to the Spot the Ball thread… 

BRAIN TEASER: 

With the Champions League returning mid-week, can you name the top five 

clubs who have accrued the largest number of points across the competition’s 

entire history? 

NAME THE XI: 

After catching up with Danny Caldecott this week, we thought we’d look back on John 

Reed’s sensational “Great Escape” season, which saw the club claw back an 18-point 

deficit to remain in the Conference North. A 2-0 win at home to Hucknall Town secured 

safety, but casting your minds back, how well do you remember the team?… 

1. ?????? 

2. Grant Black 

3. Tony Whealing 

4. Barrie Keeling 

5. ?????? 

6. Paul Shepherd 

7. Steve Smith 

8. ?????? 

9. Andy Parton 

10. Aron Wilford 

11. Nathan Wharton 

Answers can be found 

on page 28. 


23

MY CELTIC XI 

WITH ALASDAIR BROWN 

Name: 

Years Supporting Club: 

First Game: 

All-Time Favourite Player: 

Favourite Memory: 

Alasdair Brown 

27 years 

Don’t remember, I 

was two weeks old!. 

Tony Sullivan 

The Conference North Play-Off Final 

against Barrow in 2008 at Burton Albion. 

CRAIG DOOTSON 

DAVE GERMAN 

MARTIN FILSON 

PAUL SYKES 

ANDY SMART 

BRENDAN BURKE 

KEITH BRIGGS 

KEVIN PARR 

TONY SULLIVAN 

PHIL EASTWOOD 

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN 

24 


The Daniel Wilkinson Foundation is a charity set up in memory of Daniel 

Wilkinson who died in 2016 aged 24, while playing the game he loved, from 

an underlying heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular 

Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). 

Dan played football from an early age and joined Hull City AFC when he 

was 10, earning a professional contract aged 18. Loughborough 

University followed where he completed a degree in Accounting and 

Financial Management while playing non-league football. He was an 

athlete who enjoyed the gym and took his health and nutrition very 

seriously. He lived life to the full and had so much ahead of him. 

Other than feeling light-headed on a few occasions in the month 

before he died, he had no symptoms! 

SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN THE 

YOUNG (SCD) 

SCD is the leading cause of death in young 

athletes during sport and the majority of deaths 

occur with NO SYMPTOMS or family history. 

ARVC can be found in one in every 1,000 to 

5,000 young adults - IF IT IS LOOKED FOR. 

Warning signs may include light-headedness, 

fainting, palpitations, swollen legs, 

breathlessness. 

Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and 

healthy young people (aged 35 and under) die 

from previously undiagnosed heart conditions. 

In Italy, where screening is mandatory for all 

young people engaged in organised sport, they 

have reduced the incidence of young sudden 

cardiac death by 89%. 

The Daniel Wilkinson Foundation has been 

set up to raise awareness of SCD and to 

provide funding towards heart screening, 

defibrillators and CPR/defibrillator training 

primarily for grass-roots sporting teams. 

Tragedies can be prevented through cardiac 

screening. It is vital that young people are 

identified and treated. 

Find out more 

@dannywilks5 

OUR MISSION 

thedanielwilkinsonfoundation 

dwfoundation5 

contact@thedanielwilkinsonfoundation.org 

thedanielwilkinsonfoundation.org 

To donate: mydonate.bt.com/charities/thedanielwilkinsonfoundation

CATCHING UP 

WITH DANNY CALDECOTT 

Danny Caldecott will be no stranger to 

both Celtic fans new and old, with the 

former left back visiting Bower Fold 

during pre-season with his Trafford side. 

Moving into management, he’s steering 

the ship nicely after stepping up from 

assistant in 2020, with the side currently 

mid-table in the Northern Premier League 

West division. 

It’s been just over two decades since he 

made his debut for the Celts, donning the 

blue and white for three years and playing in 

some of the most exciting seasons in recent 

years, including that famous “Great Escape” 

season under John Reed. 

Always keen to get forward, we talk about 

times at Celtic, life in the dugout today, and 

the impact the club left on him as his career 

has evolved in non-league… 

Hi Danny, how are you? Happy with the 

way the season has started for you over at 

Trafford? 

I’m very well, thank you. As manager I don’t 

think you’re ever happy! You walkways want 

more. We have done ok, but I thoroughly 

believe there is so much more to come from 

us. 

It’s always nice to see an ex-Celt in 

management. Was it always the plan after 

your playing days? 

Yes, I’ve always wanted to stay in the game 

in some sort of capacity. I had a great 

opportunity to start as a first team coach 

gradually progressing into assistant manager 

and now I’ve been very lucky to be trusted 

with the responsibilities to manage this 

brilliant football club. 

During your time as a player at Celtic, you 

largely played under Dave Miller, with 

John Reed then in the second half of the 

2004/05 season. Did you learn much from 

them in terms of management, and who 

are the more influential managers you’ve 

played under across your career? 

Yes of 

course, 

both Dave 

and Reedy 

were very 

different in their 

management styles. 

But you naturally take bits 

from every manager you work under. Most 

influential I think, 

would be Danny Johnson and Tom Baker. 

More so Tom because I really had the 

opportunity to work closely with him without 

the playing responsibility over five years or 

so. 

During that 2004/05 season you were 

part of “the Great Escape”, which saw a 

remarkable run to stay up. What are your 

memories of that period? We even won a 

trophy! 

You know what? I have so many fond 

memories of my time at Stalybridge. I was 

very fortunate to play for the club and 

pretty much learn everything about nonleague 

with some incredible teammates, 

club officials and fans. It taught me a lot 

about myself and how to be with people. 

I genuinely couldn’t pinpoint a specific 

moment. But the club and everyone involved 

always looked after me. That allowed me 

to evolve as a man and appreciate a lot of 

things that sometimes we take for granted. 

You played with some excellent players 

during your time at Stalybridge, many 

have gone on to be selected in fans’ 

all-time eleven’s as part of a programme 

feature. Who were the real standouts 

you played with? And who did you enjoy 

playing alongside most? 

There were many fantastic players and 

people! I’d have to say Kev Parr, Craig 

Dootson and Colin Potts for various reasons. 

Parry was unbelievable to play with, he lead 

by example, never shirked responsibility and 

was a brilliant player. Many would probably 

26 


overlook Kev from outside but anyone who 

played with him week in week out knew what 

a top, top player he was. 

Doots was the best goalkeeper I ever played 

with. Ability wise he was top drawer and 

would look after everyone who came through 

the dressing room door. A real class act of 

man. Pottsy was a maverick, even playing 

with him he would amaze you with his 

trickery and natural skill with the ball. He was 

a very, very good player. 

Of course, you went on to have a 

distinguished career with a number of 

teams in the area and still manage locally. 

Do you still keep in contact with many 

of your old colleagues? And have the 

connections helped on management? 

Yes, we are all in a WhatsApp group so it’s 

nice to see everyone doing well. That alone 

tells you what kind of dressing room it was. I 

honestly can’t remember anyone ever really 

not getting on. The connections are brilliant 

for opinions, advice and knowledge. I’ve 

always kept in regular contact with Doots 

and Chris Denham, in particular. 

We remember you as a player who enjoyed 

getting stuck in and was always keen to 

get past players and join the attack. Do 

you think you’d enjoy it more these days 

with that bit more freedom full backs 

have? 

I’d be in the Premier League! Just kidding, 

yes I think I’d thrive in this current climate. 

Definitely score more and assist more than I 

did anyway. The game now is very different 

and obviously pitches etc. have all really 

improved. 

You’re still early into your management 

career, but what are your ambitions for 

this chapter in football? What would be 

the moment where you thought…yes! 

I’m very new, I’m eager to continue 

learning and developing all of the time. 

I think management gives you a whole 

new perspective on football. Obviously, 

when you’re a player your responsibility is 

all about yourself. Management is about 

everything and everyone but yourself. The 

‘yes’ moments for me are of course being 

successful, promotion and winning trophies. 

But it’s not an easy thing to accomplish. 

Hopefully one day I’ll be lucky enough to 

experience this. It won’t be from a lack of 

trying I can tell you that! 

And finally, it’s been around 20 years 

since you made your debut for Bridge, 

but if you could go back to one particular 

moment from your time at Bower Fold, 

what would it be? 

This is a very tough question. Like I said 

earlier, there were so many fond memories. 

But it would probably be when we won the 

Presidents Cup in 2003. I actually didn’t 

play due to illness that night but as you 

can imagine being around the lads and the 

celebrations will live long in my memory. 

LIFE AT BRIDGE: 

DANNY CALDECOTT 

Position: 

Left Back 

Debut: 14 September, 2002 

vs Wakefield & Emley 

Last Appearance: 30 April, 2005 

v Redditch United 

Appearances: 73 

Minutes Played: 3,860 

Goals: 0 

I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO PLAY 

FOR THE CLUB AND PRETTY MUCH LEARN 

EVERYTHING ABOUT NON-LEAGUE. 

I THINK MANAGEMENT GIVES YOU A 

WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON FOOTBALL. 

OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU’RE A PLAYER 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS ALL ABOUT 

YOURSELF. MANAGEMENT IS ABOUT 

EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE BUT 

YOURSELF. 


27

QUIZ ANSWERS 

BRAIN TEASER: 

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus 

NAME THE XI: 

1. Craig Dootson, 

5. Paul Sykes, 

8. Scott Willis 

28 


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lives, tackling inequalities 

& improving accessibility 

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Find out more about the 

Football Foundation, its impact 

and plans for your local area: 

footballfoundation.org.uk 


29

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YOUR AWAY DAY PLANNER: 

CELTIC’S UPCOMING FIXTURES 

With three away games on the bounce coming up, this week we 

condense our away day guide to aid your navigation to all three fixtures. 

With the opportunity to chase silverware, as well as climb the league 

with a few more goals, the lads will certainly appreciate your support 

and the noise will not go amiss. 

ABBEY HEY FC: CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP 

THE NEED TO KNOW: 

Gameday: 

Distance from Bower Fold: 7.3 miles 

Ground Address: 

Entry Fee: 

Tuesday 20 September, 2022 - 7.45pm 

The Abbey Stadium. 

Address: Goredale Avenue, Gorton, M18 7HD 

£6 Adults, £3 Concession, £1 Under-18s 

GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY: NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE 


Gameday: 



Saturday 24 September, 2022 - 3pm 

Northolme, North Street, 

Gainsborough, DN21 2QW 

Entry Fee: £12 Adults, £8 Concession, £4 

Under-16s 

BUY YOUR TICKETS 

BELPER TOWN: NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE 


Gameday: 



Entry Fee: 

Tuesday 27 September, 2022 - 7.45pm 

Raygar Stadium, Bridge Street, 

Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1BA 

£11 Adults, £7 Concession, 

£7 Students 

BUY YOUR TICKETS 


31

32 

ADVERTISE 

IN THIS 

PROGRAMME

FROM THE ARCHIVES 

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 

Stalybridge Celtic 3-1 Tamworth 

League: National League North 

Many must have thought 30 seconds 

into the game that Celtic would 

be punished severely, but a great 

comeback, followed by second half 

stalwart defending led to a magnificent 

victory for the home side. 

When Danny Preston lobbed a long 

clearance forward, the normally uber 

reliable Matt Regan played head tennis 

back to Lewis King, but lost out to Javan 

Vidal who put a pinpoint ball across the 

face of goal for Shane Clarke arriving at 

the back post to smash home. 

The Celtic faithful need not have worried, 

despite being a goal down, it was Celtic 

that looked more likely to score. And 

score they did, with movement, pace and 

precision. A 65-yard diagonal crossfield 

ball from Charlie Ennis freed Ben McKenna 

to take on his marker, beat him and then 

play the ball back into Ennis’s path, the 

mercurial Celtic player having followed 

his own cross in. Ennis took a touch and 

fired past a static James Belshaw. 

Just getting back on terms wasn’t on 

the Celtic agenda, and Matty Hughes 

came close to giving Celtic the lead with 

a thumping header off a corner, before 

Ennis and McKenna swapped roles, 

Ennis’s persistence getting him space for 

a cross where McKenna stooped to head 

it into the back of the net. 

One goal advantage is rarely enough, 

especially against hard working 

opposition, but Celtic got the cushion 

when Ennis floated a free kick, Liam 

Dickinson nodded it out to James Cadman 

VIEW HIGHLIGHTS 

at the edge of the area, who curled his low 

shot through a crowd of legs and doubled 

Celtic’s advantage. 

Matty Hughes headed another corner 

wide, before Tamworth really should 

have equalised, Kevin Thornton scuffing 

an effort horribly wide after Vidal had 

done the hard work of drawing King and 

Regan to give Thornton a gift of a goal. 

McKenna came closest to adding to the 

score line just before the interval when he 

found some space to fire in an edge of the 

box curler that Belshaw had to be at full 

stretch to push away. 

The second half was all one way traffic, 

by Tamworth. But for the 45 minutes of 

pressure, they just could not breach the 

Celtic back-line. Despite lofted high balls, 

driven low balls, corners, free kicks and 

long high balls from their own defence, 

there was no way Celtic were giving an 

inch. Tamworth came close, with Kayden 

Jackson firing across the face of goal 

after Vidal had seen his effort blocked onroute, 

whilst King had to be alert to palm 

Regan’s header under pressure away. 

And with Tamworth pressing, there were 

occasional chances for Celtic to break, 

Aidan Chippendale firing across goal for 

Liam Dickinson, only for Paul Green to 

slide in and intercept instead, feeding the 

ball back to Belshaw to clear. 

So despite the pressure, Celtic held onto 

their two goal advantage right through to 

the final whistle, and moved back up the 

table, ahead of a visit to Gainsborough 

next week. 


33

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE 

WITH MICHAEL BRIERLEY 

Stalybridge Celtic FC - 1991/1992 

FEBRUARY 1992 - Results wise then not 

the best of months but certainly a very 

entertaining one. 

A sizeable travelling contingent went to 

Harrow Borough in the FA Trophy, perhaps 

the longest journey ever undertaken at that 

point against unknown opposition, yet the 

celebrations after victory, in the social club 

complete with impromptu singing and dancing 

on tables, were really something to behold. 

The league draw at Morecambe was a real 

eye opener for younger fans, allowed to travel 

away for the first time with coaches now being 

run to most games, before the biggest win of 

the campaign came in a thrashing of Goole 

Town. 

The FA Trophy run ended with an unlucky 

defeat at Witton Albion, coming courtesy 

of a wind assisted goal (Hughes, Bennett, 

Blackman, Dixon, Edmonds, Bauress, Brown, 

Priest, Camden, Booth, Leicester). There 

was indeed no disgrace in this result, with 

the opposition being in a higher league and 

it did actually mark, at the time, a best ever 

performance in the competition, with a run to 

the last 16. 

With interest in the League Cup also ending at 

the quarter finals stage, and although the top 

of the table placing still looked assured, it was 

to be hoped that there would be no further slip 

ups. 

MARCH 1992 - The side was strengthened 

by the signing of Mark Edwards, who was 

always exciting to watch with a wand of a left 

foot and chipping in more than a fair share of 

goals. 

Although no results actually stood out, wins 

in every game meant only a handful of points 

were now required to reach the ultimate prize 

of a place in the Football Conference. With few 

other candidates eligible for promotion, due 

to relevant ground grading criteria, the move 

up into the top tier of non-league football was 

now well within touching grasp. 

APRIL/MAY 1992 - 

Despite being pretty 

much written in stone 

since the start, such was 

the gulf in class enjoyed, it wasn’t 

actually until this point that things were finally 

settled once and for all. 

A win over Horwich meant that promotion was 

assured and although there followed a derby 

defeat against Hyde United, never normally a 

cause for celebration, this was to be a joyous 

affair as the league title was clinched with 

a mere two games to go, thanks to results 

elsewhere. 

This, in itself, was rather surprising, as 

nobody else had looked like coming close and 

although there was a further loss in the final of 

the Presidents Cup to Morecambe, it was still 

a magnificent achievement. 

It would be slightly unfair to make the season a 

eulogy of the goalscoring exploits of Camden 

(who scored 48 times in all competitions) 

together with the managerial genius of Phil 

Wilson, as each and every member of the 

squad was immense and contributed to its 

overall success. 

From Hughes in goal to the rock solid defence 

of Bennett, Dixon, Aspinall and Blackman. 

The midfield magic of Bauress, Brown and 

Leicester and deadly front line of Buffalo, 

ably assisted by Edwards and Priest were all 

magnificent, as were the contributions from 

Booth, Burrell, Edmonds, Sharratt, Smith et al, 

who all deserve just as much fulsome praise. 

Indeed, the whole team and year could feature 

in any all-time favourites ever. 

1991/1992 

John Aspinall, Gary Bauress, Paul Bennett, 

Ricky Blackman, Colin Booth, Kevin Booth, 

John Brown, Mark Burrell, Chris Camden, 

Danny Coyne, Dennis Cronin, Paul Dixon, Neil 

Edmonds, Mark Edwards, Martin Filson, Paul 

Higginbotham, Russ Hughes, Stuart Leicester, 

Kevin O’Connell, Shaun O’Shea, Eric Priest, 

Chris Sharratt, John Smith, Alan Woan 

34 


WHAT’S HAPPENING 

AT BOWER FOLD 

CELTIC SIGN ATTACKING 

DUO LUKE HINSLEY AND 

DOMAINE ROUSE. 

Stalybridge Celtic is delighted to confirm 

the signing of attacking midfielder Luke 

Hinsley from Belper Town and striker 

Domaine Rouse from Ramsbottom United. 

Luke is a 32-year-old attack minded 

player who has lots of experience playing 

at Northern Premier League level, 

having featured for Matlock Town, Hyde, 

Grantham Town, Worksop Town and most 

recently Belper. 

Luke adds experience and physicality to 

Chris Willcock’s side and joins the squad 

for tonight’s game alongside fellow new 

recruit, Domaine. 

Domaine joins the club from Ramsbottom 

where he has played 62 times since signing 

in 2020. He scored 17 goals in the process 

and also lists Droyslden, Macclesfield, 

Colwyn Bay and Bury as his former clubs, 

making 12 appearances for Bury The 

Shakers. 

Welcome to Celtic, Luke & Domaine!. 

REOPENING OF CELTIC WINE 

BAR & GRILL 

Celtic’s Lounge has been refurbished and 

is set to open as Celtic Wine Bar & Grill 

which we are very excited about. 

We were due to hold a special event with 

a host of our former players last weekend 

however due to the cancellation of the 

fixture, this event is being rescheduled for 

another game. 

The Lounge will be serving food and drink 

prior to weekend fixtures and will give 

supporters another option on a matchday 

for food and drink. 

RICHARD TIPPING’S 

FUNERAL. 

Richard Tipping’s funeral took place 

yesterday at Tiviot Dale Church followed by 

Stockport Crematorium. 

Richard was a true Celtic legend and 

dedicated over 20 years of service to the 

club as our Matchday PA Announcer and he 

will be greatly missed. 

Rest in peace, Richard. 

CELTIC UNDER 18’S IN FA 

YOUTH CUP ACTION 

Celtic Under 18’s are in action on 

Wednesday evening as they face Radcliffe 

in the next round of the FA Youth Cup at 

the Neuven Stadium (19:45). 

The team had a lot of support at Trafford 

in the previous round where they won 2-0 

and would appreciate any support this 

Wednesday as they look to progress in the 

competition. 

Admission Prices are: £3 Adult, £1 

Concessions at Neuven Stadium (Radcliffe 

M26 3PE). 


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IT’S IN THE NET 

WITH DEBORAH TAYLOR 

TODAY’S VISITORS: BAMBER BRIDGE 

Scorers 22/23 H A 1st 2nd Tot LAST 5 LEAGUE RESULTS 

Turner, Rhys 1 1 0 2 2 Marine H Tue 6 Sep 2022 1-1 D 

Alabi, Noah 2 0 2 0 2 Guiseley A Mon 29 Aug 2022 1-0 W 

Sinclair, Isaac 2 0 2 0 2 FC United of Manchester H Sat 27 Aug 2022 2-1 W 

Sinclair-Smith, Finley 1 1 1 1 2 Warrington Rylands A Tue 23 Aug 2022 0-2 L 

Skinner, Aaron 1 0 0 1 1 Liversedge H Sat 20 Aug 2022 2-2 D 

BONUS STAT 

Bamber Bridge have the sixth worst attack 

in the league and the second worst defence, 

compared to Celtic’s joint worst home attack 

in the league but the joint best home defence. 

Their away win came at Guiseley (1-0), having 

lost their previous two away matches, 0-2 at 

Warrington Rylands and 4-2 at Stafford 

QUICK STATS 22/23 (AWAY AND OVERALL) 

Average goals 1.0 1.4 Total goals 3 10 

Average concede 2.0 1.8 Total Concede 6 12 

Scored in 2 6 Clean sheets 1 1 

Conceded in 2 6 Failed to score 1 1 

Away Record 1W 0D 2L Current Position 13th 

CELTIC’S LAST RESULTS AGAINST BAMBER BRIDGE 

29/01/2022 A 2-0 W NP Massanka 11; Harris 71p 

16/10/2021 H 1-2 L NP Pond (OG) 37 Apter 63; Sinclair-Smith 

09/11/2019 A 3-2 W NP Osei 64,77; Hobson 80 Dean 13,22 

12/10/2019 H 3-2 W NP Osei 2; Valentine 62; Hobson 74 Waddecar 28, 37p 

01/12/2018 A 0-3 L NP Marlow 53; Waddecar 73; Dawson 90 

15/09/2018 H 3-2 W NP Wolfenden 2; Bakkor 45; Kengni 65 Charnock 7; White 67 

23/03/2001 A 2-0 W NP Sullivan 54p; Crookes 74 

11/11/2000 H 3-0 W NP Jones 44; McNeil 79; Scott 82 

SUMMARY SINCE 2000 

OVERALL 

AT BOWER FOLD 

Wins 

Loses 

Draws 

Wins 

Loses 

Draws 

2 

1 

7 

1 

1 

3 

Last league 

win 

12/10/2019 

(3-2) 

Last cup win 

- 


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Ever thought of volunteering to 

help your local football club? 

There are many different volunteer roles in non-league football and 

Northern Premier League football clubs need your help with them. 

The Trident Leagues and Pitching In have recently launched a new 

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to find out more

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TODAY’S TEAMS 

AT BOWER FOLD 

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 

Greg Hall 

Connor Leach 

Kyle Harrison 

Ben Woods 

Louis Danquah 

Ciaran Summers 

Dahrius Waldron 

Moses Yoak 

Stephen Jack 

Ethan Padden 

Tom Miller 

Matty Liptrott 

Harry Benns 

Cesaire Lingouba 

David Edwards 

Osebi Abadaki 

Aarron Grewal 

Cameron Darkwah 

Godwin Abadaki 

Luke Hinsley 

Domaine Rouse 

Tinashe Chakwana 

Raul Correia 

BAMBER BRIDGE 

Danny Roccia 

Felix Goddard 

Matthew Thomson 

Macauley Wilson 

Nathan Pond 

Sky Sinclair 

Christopher Churchman 

Danny Forbes 

Aaron Skinner 

David Perkins 

Will Riding 

Isaac Sinclair 

Fin Sinclair-Smith 

Paul Dawson 

Luke Daly 

Rhys Turner 

Referee: Oliver Noonan 

Assistants: James Birch-Ford & Daniel Chadwick 

Supporters are warned that is an offence under the Ground Regulations and Club Code of Conduct to enter the field of play - AT ANY 

TIME HOME AND AWAY Supporters who enter the field of play will be ejected from the stadium and may be subject of a banning 

order. All people entering Bower Fold and its environs are reminded of their obligations with regard to foul and abusive language and 

comments and remarks that could be construed as offensive, discriminatory and or racist to any group or creed. The directors have 

asked that all fans, home and away, behave in a manner that does credit to this fine football club. By Order of Stalybridge Celtic FC. 

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED(THE) Company number 00292254

05 - Stalybridge Celtic vs Bamber Bridge

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