19 - Stalybridge Celtic vs Matlock Town

PLAYER PROFILES...
MATLOCK TOWN
both boxes standing at six foot plus and highly
experienced in the National League North, Ioan
has been consistent and has shown what an
important signing he was for the club,
NICO DE GIROLAMO (DEFENDER)
Nico is back for a second spell at Matlock
having signed during the summer. The Italian
born defender’s first spell at Matlock began in
2016/17 having previously with Heanor Town
and Mickleover Sports. After leaving Matlock he
has been at Buxton and Grantham Town, playing
under Matlock manager Paul Phillips at Buxton.
FINLAY PHILLIPS (DEFENDER)
Finlay is the son of manager Paul and signed for
the Gladiators in November 2021 after a spell at
New Mills.
ADAM BLAKELEY (DEFENDER)
Adam joined the Gladiators on transfer deadline
day in 2021/22 from Staveley Miners Welfare.
He has also played with the Chesterfield youth
sides and is described as one for the future by
Matlock manager Paul Phillips.
JOE FERGUSON (DEFENDER)
Joe joined Matlock in July 2022 after spending
eight years with Blackburn Rovers. Last season
he impressed in a loan spell at Witton Albion.
Born in Manchester but of Batak descent
through his Indonesian grandmother, Joe
expressed a desire to represent Indonesia
internationally. Joe is essentially a right back
with the ability to cause danger to opposition
defences when he breaks forward.
SEAN HIGGINS (DEFENDER)
Sean joined Matlock in July 2022 from
Altrincham after last season having been at
Trafford on loan where he won both the Young
Player of the Season and Players Player of the
Season. Equally happy at either right or left
back, Sean will add healthy competition to a
defence which has been excellent in recent
seasons.
CALLUM CHIPPENDALE
(MIDFIELD)
A goalscoring midfielder
aged 24 but with
extensive experience
at NPL level and above, Callum joined Matlock
from Buxton in the summer of 2020 where he
was captain. He played for Barnsley Under 23s
before moving to Bradford (Park Avenue). Spells
at Boston United, Gainsborough Trinity, Glossop
North End and Shaw Lane followed before his
move to Buxton. Callum is an extremely popular
member of the Matlock squad who weighs in
with some important goals.
MARK LEES (MIDFIELD)
Mark is an experienced midfielder who has
National League North experience with
Stockport County, Altrincham and Ashton
United. Current Matlock manager Paul Phillips
has managed him at both Ashton United and
Stalybridge Celtic, while Mark has also played
for Hyde United and Mossley in the NPL, Matlock
signing him from Mossley during the summer
of 2020. Mark’s best work is often unseen, he
has an unselfish work ethic and does a lot of
the unspectacular work which makes him a
favourite with the Matlock supporters.
ALEX WILES (MIDFIELD)
Alex joined Matlock during the summer of
2021 from Gainsborough Trinity. A high energy
box to box midfielder, he began his career at
Rotherham before playing for Stocksbridge Park
Steels. Buxton and Tadcaster Albion.
SIMON LENIGHAN (MIDFIELD)
27 years old Simon is a central midfielder
signed from Radcliffe in the summer who
began his career at Leeds United, playing for
both their Under 18 and Under 21 sides. He later
went to Rotherham United from Frickley after
also having spells at Bradford (Park Avenue),
Halifax and Harrogate Town. After being
released by Rotherham he was at Warrington
Town, Altrincham, Shaw Lane, Guiseley, Glossop
North End, Halifax again and Mossley before
settling in at Buxton during 2019/20. After half a
season at Radcliffe he joined AFC Telford before
returning to Radcliffe at the start of last season.
20
THE OFFICIAL STALYBRIDGE CELTIC MATCH DAY PROGRAMME