21 - Stalybridge Celtic vs Belper Town

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

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION #21 

BOWER BULLETIN 

>⃝● v. Belper Town 

>⃝● Saturday 4 th March 2023 

>⃝● 3:00pm kick-off 

Lord Tom Pendry 

1934 - 2023 

THE OFFICIAL THE OFFICIAL STALYBRIDGE CELTIC MATCH DAY PROGRAMME 

MAIN SPONSOR 

KIT SUPPLIER 

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 

INTERIM CHAIRMAN: KEITH SMART 

DIRECTORS: GORDON GREENWOOD, 

BILL MCCALLUM, ARTHUR BOSWELL, 

PHIL HALL, STEVE TATE, KEITH TRUDGEON, 

ANDREW SEDDON, AFSHIN MIRTORABI 

& STEVE LOCKEY 

CLUB SECRETARY: PHIL HALL 

FIRST TEAM MANAGER: CHRIS WILLCOCK 

ASSISTANT MANAGER: LINCOLN ADAMS 

FIRST TEAM COACH: MATTY MCNEIL 

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

ACADEMY DIRECTOR: JILL JONES 

ACADEMY HEAD COACH: DEAN BRATHWAITE 

UNDER 18’S & 21’S MANAGER: GARRY JONES 

UNDER 18’S & 21’S HEAD COACH: LEO INNEH 

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 

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 


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 DIRECTOR, KEITH SMART 

A very warm welcome to all the players, officials 

and supporters of Belper Town FC. I hope you have 

all had a good trip over from Derbyshire and all have a 

safe journey home after the game. 

The last seven days have not been great on the pitch for Celtic. Defeat 

at home to Stafford Rangers last Saturday and an exit from the Cheshire 

Senior Cup away at Congleton on Tuesday. As we approach the ‘business 

end’ of the season we need an upturn in both form and results in order 

to pull away from the table’s danger zone. Over the next month we have 

fixtures against four teams around us in the table in, Belper, Morpeth, 

Ashton and Marske. It’s vital we pick up as many points as possible in those 

games, so that task begins today. 

This week we received the very sad news that Lord Tom Pendry had passed 

away at the age of 88. Lord Pendry had, until his death, been Patron of 

Stalybridge Celtic FC. 

As Tom Pendry, he had been MP for Stalybridge & Hyde from 1970 to 2001, 

serving as Shadow Secretary for Sport and Tourism between 1979 and 

1997. After the 2001 election, he was elevated to the House of Lords as 

Baron Pendry of Stalybridge. He was subsequently appointed 

President of The Football Foundation in 2003. 

Lord Tom was always a very good friend of Stalybridge Celtic 

and helped and advised the club in many ways over many 

years. He was a visitor to Bower Fold whenever his 

workload allowed, and for a time lived just across the 

road from the ground. One of the stands at Bower 

Fold bears his name, and the area in front of the 

old Market Hall in the centre of the town is 

named Lord Pendry Square. 

The club sends its deepest condolences to his 

children Fiona & Dominic. RIP Lord Pendry. 

Enjoy the game. 

Keith Smart 

THE OFFICIAL STALYBRIDGE CELTIC MATCH DAY PROGRAMME 

3

NO HIDING PLACE: 

Stuart Vallantine, Saturday 4th March 2023 

The full figured female’s stood at Forsyth’s 

as we speak, 

Let’s hope our finale’s far from bleak. 

That hackneyed phrase ‘dog fight’ springs to 

mind, 

Though Town are thirteen points behind. 

We’ve had a torrid fortnight losing ground, 

Fewer lucky breaks or goals to be found. 

Back in the rut we were in earlier, 

With four down, no hiding place for error. 

Town have had a torrid time, last won a month 

ago. 

Like us, they’ll want to put on a show, 

Something for their 

travelling army to cheer 

Especially as the drop 

draws near. 

We can’t sit back; that’s out of the equation, 

We can’t be complacent about relegation. 

We are swimming too close to the tide, 

It’s going to be a bumpy ride 

It’s time to give our team a much needed 

boost, 

Let Correia and Dagnall rule the roost. 

Walk the walk, don’t talk the talk today; 

Let go out today and rekindle The Celtic Way. 

4 

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


MANAGER’S NOTES 

WITH THE GAFFER CHRIS WILLCOCK 

Good afternoon and welcome to Bower Fold 

for today’s game. 

We are all extremely disappointed with the period 

we are going through and know the recent games 

haven’t been to the required standard that we have set 

ourselves from other games this season. 

We really wanted to build some confidence and progress in the cup 

competition so to exit the competition is frustrating. 

I thought the goal we conceded was really poor and we didn’t do enough 

to recover and push for an equalising goal as we have done so often this 

season when we’ve found ourselves behind. 

We had an honest conversation on Thursday evening and we are all 

working hard to get ourselves to where we know we can be and where 

we ultimately want to be. 

I said last week but these games are all cup finals for us and we have to 

start picking up points in the final set of fixtures to stay in the division. 

We have shown we can do it this season, so it’s important that we return 

to our run of form that we produced a 

couple of months ago. 

I thank you for your support which has 

been incredible all season and I hope 

we are able to repay you today with an 

important result. 


The Gaffer 

Chris 

#MakeADifference 


5

WHAT’S HAPPENING 

AT BOWER FOLD 

Rest in peace, 

Lord Tom Pendry 

Welcome back Luke! 

Luke Barlow first joined us in 2021 during 

the brief Covid season and made 15 

appearances. 

We were deeply saddened to hear that 

Stalybridge Celtic FC Patron Lord Tom 

Pendry sadly passed away last Sunday 

night at the age of 88 

Lord Pendry was Labour MP for Stalybridge 

& Hyde from 1970 to 2001 and was Shadow 

Minister for Sport & Tourism between 1979 

and 1997. He was appointed President of The 

Football Foundation in 2003. 

Lord Pendry was a good friend of Stalybridge 

Celtic FC and was until his death, Patron of the 

club. He advised and helped the football club 

in many ways over many years. Lord Pendry 

was a regular visitor to matches and for a 

period of time lived just across the road from 

Bower Fold. Not only is one of the stands at 

Bower Fold named after Lord Tom, but an area 

in front of the old market hall in the centre of 

Stalybridge is named Lord Pendry Square. 

We send our deepest condolences to his 

children Fiona and Dominic. 

Rest in peace, Lord Pendry. 

Welcome back, Luke! 

Attending today’s game 

We’d like to welcome the two daughters 

of former Celt Harry Rothwell who are 

attending today’s fixture with their 

families. 

Harry made 105 appearances for the club, 

scoring 35 goals between 1952 - 1959. 

Also joining us today is former Celtic treble 

winner Kevin Parr who is here with his friends. 

Kevin played 325 games for Celtic and was 

a huge fan favourite, scoring 52 goals from 

midfield and helping Celtic to a famous treble. 

Welcome back to Bower Fold to both Harry’s 

family and Kevin and his friends. 

Duo depart 

We can confirm Ben Richardson and 

Raheem Hanley have departed the club 

We’d like to wish both the best for the future 

and thank them for their efforts this season. 

6 


UPDATE FROM THE SECRETARY 

WITH PHIL HALL 

Good afternoon and welcome to today’s game 

with Belper Town who pay their first league visit to 

Bower Fold. A warm welcome to the fans, players 

and officials. I hope they had a good journey up 

from Derbyshire. 

Today’s game is a real relegation six-pointer and one that 

neither team can afford to lose. Unfortunately our run of bad luck with injuries 

continues and we will be without Greg Hall today who suffered a broken hand 

last Saturday. Connor Leach will deputise today and I’m sure he’ll do well. 

Following last week’s signings, two players have left the fold. Raheem Hanley has 

joined Runcorn Linnets and Ben Richardson has also moved on. We wish them 

both well for the future. 

To describe the result on Tuesday against Congleton as a disappointment would 

be an understatement. Our last chance of silverware gone, in what I have seen 

described as our worst performance of the season. We certainly weren’t very 

good but that description is I think a little disrespectful to our opponents who 

are having a fine season in knockout competitions having beaten higher league 

opposition several times. 

Next Saturday we are at home again when we entertain champions elect South 

Shields. 

Finally everyone at the club was saddened to hear of the passing of Lord Tom 

Pendry earlier this week. A familiar figure around the club and a big supporter of 

Celtic he will be sadly missed. There will be a minutes silence before kick off and 

the players will be wearing black armbands as a sign of respect. 


Phil 


7

A VIEW FROM THE TERRACES 

BY RICHARD GREENWOOD, SCSA MEMBER 

There have been few times I’ve felt let down by the Celts this season. 

But Tuesday night was one of those times. Win, lose or draw the lads have 

always put 100% in. We’ve chased games until the very end. We’ve had 

shocking first halves but have done what we can to try and make it right. Not 

always successfully, but it’s the never say die attitude that we love about 

this Chris Willcock team. Tuesday didn’t quite feel like a Chris Willcock team 

performance. We went out with a whimper. To repeat: it was a let down. Not 

worth our time, and certainly not worth any applause. 

However, we all let the people that love 

us down from time to time. Just ask my 

wife… 

It’s how we learn from those mistakes isn’t 

it? And that’s normally a bunch of flowers 

or a nice meal out. Or at least that’s the 

tactic I normally use. 

We’ve suffered badly the last few weeks 

on the terraces. It’s been pretty drab. It 

feels so last September to November. But 

we also know what happened after that. 

This side has already proven they can 

learn from their mistakes. They can go 

from that phase of, “I love you, but I don’t 

like you very much right now!” to being 

the perfect partners. We’ve seen it before. 

And now, more than ever, they need to do 

it again. It’s going to feel like a very long, 

loveless, last two months of the season 

otherwise. 

They have a chance to make the 

metaphorical apology, following a pretty 

poor few weeks, today. Three points could 

provide the same spark and bit of magic 

we got from the Hyde game, giving us 

something to cheer about. Something to 

bang a drum for. Something to make us 

both love them and like them. 

Do that, and the same against those 

teams around us, and we could finish 

what has been a very enjoyable season, 

despite everything that has gone on off 

the pitch and that blip of form at the start 

of the season. It would make what could 

be a very long, loveless, last two months 

go pretty quickly. Have us walking on air, 

swooning over them. Feeling like it’s us 

and them against the world. It’d be the 

honeymoon period of November through 

to January all over again. 

We know Greg can keep us in games. He’s 

done it time and time again. We know Kyle 

can be a wall. We’ve seen the trickery of 

Benns and Bailey-Jones. Tom Miller has 

rallied his troops when it matters before. 

Daggers has the composure to give us the 

lead and the experience to help us keep 

it. It’s what made us fall in love with you in 

the first place. 

It doesn’t need me to tell you today is 

a huge game. Three points would be 

the bunch of flowers we all need on the 

terraces. No more silent treatment. Kisses 

and cuddles and proud to be arm in arm. 

Come on the Celts. Let’s all be puckering 

up come the final whistle. Plus, we all 

know what they say about 

make-up sex… 

Richard 

8 


MATCH REPORT 

vs. STAFFORD RANGERS 

An underwhelming performance from 

Celtic failed to counter Stafford’s single 

attacking threat, allowing Stafford to 

end a run of six away defeats and leave 

Celtic with nothing. 

It was far too little far 

too late, leaving Celtic 

staring at the drop zone. 

Stafford’s primary attacking threat came 

from Thomas Tonks’ long throw, a low, 

50-yard attack missile that they used in 

the opening few minutes, catching Celtic 

napping and allowing a couple of stabs at 

goal before Joseph Kenton forced the ball 

over the line. 

Stafford seemed content to push the ball 

to the wings, hoping for further chances to 

use their main threat. Celtic for their part 

seemed content to let them, but defended 

the long throw. 

This meant the main chances in the 

rest of the half fell Celtic’s way. Godwin 

Abadaki should have done better when 

he fired wired, and both Harry Benns and 

Theo Bailey-Jones failed to convert half 

chances as Stafford aimed to defend in 

numbers. 

The second half continued in the same 

vein, with no creativity to break down a 

stubborn Stafford side. 

Stafford were handed a cushion when 

Kaimon Anderson rounded Greg Hall as 

the Celtic keeper tried to head clear a ball 

outside his area. In trying to get the ball, 

Hall crashed into Anderson, conceding a 

penalty that Tonks converted low into the 

bottom right corner. 

Celtic’s best chance fell to Tom Miller, who 

headed in a corner that required a pointblank 

reaction save from Cam Belford, 

and DJ Pedro finally shook off his extraclose 

marker to get a chance, but headed 

straight at Belford. 

0 STALYBRIDGE CELTIC vs. 

11 

Total Shots 

4 

7 

Corners 

4 

On Target 

Offsides 

2 STAFFORD RANGERS 

KENTON, Joseph 5 

TONKS, Thomas 63(p) 

7 2 5 

Off Target 

8 0 3 8 10 

Fouls 

VIEW THE MATCH CENTRE STATS 


9

IMAGE GALLERY 

vs. STAFFORD RANGERS 

VIEW FULL GALLERY 

10 



11

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC’S 

2022/2023 SQUAD 

Greg HALL 

Connor LEACH 

Sponsored by 

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BAXTER, MICHAEL 

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STALYBRIDGE CELTIC’S 

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Godwin ABADAKI 

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13

Official Benchwear Partner to the 

Pitching In Northern Premier League 

Find the Macron Sports Hub 

closest to you 

These clubs have chosen Macron

GOAL SCORERS 

LGE FAC FAT MSC CSC TOT 

Raul Correia 9 0 0 0 0 9 

Harry Benns 3 0 0 0 1 4 

Matty Carson 3 0 0 0 1 4 

Chris Dagnall 4 0 0 0 0 4 

Theo Bailey-Jones 3 0 0 0 0 3 

Osebi Abadaki 1 0 1 0 0 2 

Nathan Caine 1 0 0 1 0 2 

Kyle Harrison 2 0 0 0 0 2 

Godwin Abadaki 1 0 0 0 1 2 

Ben Woods 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Matty Liptrott 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Cameron Darkwah 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Tom Miller 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Dylan Moonan 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Dominic Rouse 0 0 0 0 1 1 

Djavan Pedri 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Ciaran Summers 1 0 0 0 0 1 

Alfie Henderson 1 0 0 0 0 1 

LATEST LEAGUE TABLE 

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

1. South Shields 31 12 4 1 8 3 3 20 7 4 55 26 29 67 0 

2. Hyde United 33 9 3 5 7 7 2 16 10 7 54 31 23 58 0 

3. Warrington Town 33 8 6 3 6 7 3 14 13 6 49 33 16 55 0 

4. Radcliffe 32 8 4 4 7 6 3 15 10 7 49 39 10 55 0 

5. Bamber Bridge 32 9 5 1 7 2 8 16 7 9 49 50 -1 55 0 

6. Gainsborough Trinity 32 4 8 3 9 4 4 13 12 7 60 34 26 51 0 

7. Matlock Town 32 7 7 2 7 1 8 14 8 10 44 39 5 50 0 

8. Marine 31 8 4 4 5 6 4 13 10 8 44 28 16 49 0 

9. Guiseley 33 8 2 7 6 4 6 14 6 13 46 42 4 48 0 

10. FC United of Manchester 32 6 8 3 7 1 7 13 9 10 49 35 14 45 -3 

11. Warrington Rylands 33 7 3 7 5 4 7 12 7 14 48 43 5 43 0 

12. Stafford Rangers 33 8 4 5 4 3 9 12 7 14 40 45 -5 43 0 

13. Whitby Town 33 6 2 8 6 5 6 12 7 14 35 43 -8 43 0 

14. Lancaster City 32 6 7 4 4 5 6 10 12 10 34 36 -2 42 0 

15. Atherton Collieries 32 4 6 5 5 6 6 9 12 11 30 38 -8 39 0 

16. Morpeth Town 31 8 1 7 3 3 9 11 4 16 42 45 -3 37 0 

17. Ashton United 32 5 3 7 6 4 7 11 7 14 40 46 -6 37 -3 

18. STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 33 4 2 10 5 6 6 9 8 16 34 42 -8 35 0 

19. Nantwich Town 33 3 3 10 5 5 7 8 8 17 31 45 -14 32 0 

20. Marske United 29 3 1 8 6 1 10 9 2 18 39 61 -22 29 0 

21. Liversedge 30 3 1 12 5 2 7 8 3 19 31 65 -34 27 0 

22. Belper Town 32 2 4 10 3 3 10 5 7 20 33 70 -37 22 0 


15

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 232 1-0 W 11 Correia 

Sat Sept 17, 2022 NANTWICH TOWN 344 1-2 L 11 Bailey-Jones 

Tue Sept 20, 2022 ABBEY HEY (MPC P) 1-1 W - Darkwah *Won 3-1 pens 

Sat Sept 24, 2022 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 564 0-4 L 11 - 

Tue Sept 27, 2022 BELPER TOWN 377 0-2 L 11 - 

Sat Oct 1, 2022 MORPETH TOWN 324 0-4 L 11 - 

Tue Oct 5, 2022 RADCLIFFE 427 1-2 L 11 Correia (p) 

Sat Oct 8, 2022 SOUTH SHIELDS (FAT 3Q) 311 1-2 L - O Abadaki (p) 

Tue Oct 11, 2022 MARSKE UNITED 283 2-3 L 11 Bailey-Jones, Miller 

Sat Oct 15, 2022 ASHTON UNITED 510 1-2 L 11 Moonan 

Tue Oct 18, 2022 MARINE 356 0-0 D 12 - 

Sat Oct 22, 2022 WHITBY TOWN 428 1-0 W 15 Correia (p) 

Tue Oct 25, 2022 WARRINGTON TOWN (CSC) 147 1-1 W - Carson *Won 5-3 pens 

Sat Oct 29, 2022 FC UNITED OF MCR (MSC 1) 768 1-4 L - Caine 

Sat Nov 5, 2022 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 1,057 1-2 L 15 Correia (p) 

Sat Nov 12, 2022 STAFFORD RANGERS 693 3-0 W 18 Caine, Correia (2,1p) 

Sat Nov 19, 2022 ATHERTON COLLIERIES 370 1-1 D 19 Dagnall 

Sat Nov 26, 2022 WARRINGTON RYLANDS 396 1-2 L 19 Correia 

Sat Dec 3, 2022 WARRINGTON TOWN 574 1-1 D 20 O Abadaki 

Mon Dec 26, 2022 HYDE UNITED 1,708 1-0 W 23 Dagnall 

Mon Jan 2, 2023 LIVERSEDGE 569 4-2 W 26 Carson (3,1p), Correia 

Sat Jan 7, 2022 LANCASTER CITY 359 1-1 D 27 Dagnall 

Tue Jan 17, 2023 CAMMELL LAIRD (CSC) 178 3-0 W - Rouse, G Abadaki, Benns 

Sat Jan 21, 2022 NANTWICH TOWN 604 4-0 W 30 Pedro, Dagnall, Bailey-Jones, Harrison 

Sat Jan 28, 2023 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 709 2-0 W 33 Benns, Summers 

Tue Jan 31, 2023 RADCLIFFE 457 1-2 L 33 Benns 

Sat Feb 4, 2022 BAMBER BRIDGE 429 1-1 D 34 Harrison 

Tue Feb 7, 2022 MARINE 1,071 0-1 L 34 - 

Sat Feb 11, 2023 WHITBY TOWN 608 0-1 L 34 - 

Sat Feb 18, 2022 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 1,940 1-1 D 35 G Abadaki 

Tue Feb 21, 2023 MATLOCK TOWN 374 2-3 L 34 Benns, Henderson 

Sat Feb 25, 2023 STAFFORD RANGERS 563 0-2 L 34 - 

Tues Fe28, 2022 CONGLETON TOWN (CSC QTR) 0-1 L - - 

Sat Mar 4, 2023 BELPER TOWN 

Sat Mar 11, 2022 SOUTH SHIELDS 

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 

16 


MATCH PREVIEW 

WITH DEBORAH TAYLOR 

Today, Celtic have a crucial league match when Belper Town 

visit Bower Fold. Belper are currently the bottom club on 

twenty-two points, four places and thirteen points behind 

Celtic. Kick-off is 3pm. Tickets are available online or on the 

gate. 

Belper may have only won five games all season, with seven draws and had 

twenty losses, but one of the four teams they have beaten this season is us, when we visited 

Belper earlier this season. In their last ten away games, they have won two, beating Morpeth 

2-0 and Liversedge 3-1, and lost seven, drawing once in their last away game at Gainsborough. 

Their last win was the Liversedge away match and in their last ten overall, Belper have won two, 

drawn two and lost six. 

With six goals, Brodie Litchfield is their top scorer, with Luke Mangham right behind on five. 

Although they have the third worst overall attack in the league with thirty-three goals scored at 

a rate of 0.9 goals per game, away, they are slightly better, with the fourth worst attack, scoring 

eighteen goals at a rate of 1.1 goals per game. Defensively, overall they have the worst defence 

in the league, conceding seventy goals in total at a rate of 2.2 goals per game, and have the 

second worst away defence, conceding thirty-four goals at a rate of 2.2 goals per game. They 

have kept one of their two clean sheets on the road, when they beat Morpeth in November, and 

their clean sheet at home was against us back in September and have conceded in their last 

twelve matches. They have failed to score four times on the road from eight in total, their last 

match seeing them lose 1-0 at home to South Shields. Their last blank on the road was Matlock, 

losing 4-0, on Boxing Day and have scored in all their last four away matches. 

We’ve only met them once competitively, back in September when we lost 2-0 and in 2020, they 

came to Bower Fold for a friendly, which was a 2-2 draw. 

It is impossible to overstate how vital a win is in this match. Whilst a win could lift us to sixteenth 

above Morpeth (away at Lancaster) and Ashton (away at Matlock) a loss would leave us level on 

points with Nantwich, should they beat Hyde in Nantwich. This is desperately close to the drop 

zone of the bottom four. With a whole series of tough matches coming, Celtic need to take points 

where – on paper at least – we can. 

In Belper’s last match, the 1-0 home defeat to 

South Shields, Belper lined up as: 

In Celtic’s last league match, the 2-0 home loss to 

Stafford, Celtic lined up as: 

1. TOM JACKSON 

2. BEN MIDDLETON 

3. BEN ALGAR 

4. HARRY MIDDLETON 

5. TOM WILSON 

6. TODD JORDAN 

7. BEN RHODES 

8. CURTIS BURROWS 

9. JEROME GREAVES 

10. RIO MOLYNEAUX 

11. BRODIE LITCHFIELD 

1. GREG HALL 

2. CIARAN SUMMERS 

3. LUKE BARLOW 

4. KYLE HARRISON 

5. DANNY BURNS 

6. TOM MILLER 

7. THEO BAILEY-JONES 

8. GODWIN ABADAKI 

9. DJ PEDRO 

10. CHRIS DAGNALL 

11. HARRY BENNS 

MATCH 

PREVIEW 


17

A LOOK AT... 

BELPER TOWN 

Belper Town’s unusual nickname, ‘The 

Nailers’, came about because the craft 

of nail making began In Belper in the 

middle ages when it was the site of a 

hunting lodge for John of Gaunt. The 

huntsmen needed nails for the shoes 

of their horses and the trade in nails 

eventually grew. 

Like the nail making industry, Belper Town 

FC has faded away in the past. Originally 

formed in 1883, the Nailers went out of 

existence three times through lack of 

finance. 

Founded in 1883, the club is one of 

Derbyshire’s oldest, beginning life as the 

works team for the Belper Nail Company. 

The main highlight in those early years was 

an FA Cup 1st Round tie against Sheffield 

Wednesday on 15th October 1887 in which 

the Nailers were narrowly defeated 2-3 by 

the Yorkshire giants. 

The team played in various local leagues 

until the 1920s when they joined the 

Central Alliance. In 1935, they joined the 

Midland League, which was a higher level 

of competition. 

During the 1950s, the club struggled 

financially and was relegated to the 

Derbyshire Senior League. However, they 

soon bounced back and won the league 

in 1956-57, earning promotion back to the 

Midland Counties League. 

In 1962, the club moved to Christchurch 

Meadow, their current home ground. The 

ground was originally owned by the Belper 

Urban District Council, but ownership 

was transferred to Amber Valley Borough 

Council in 1974. 

The 1970s were a successful period for 

the club. They won the Midland Counties 

League in 1970-71 and 1972-73, and also 

enjoyed success in the FA Vase. Belper 

have reached the 5th 

Round twice and also 

enjoyed a Semi-Final 

appearance in which they lost 2-3 on 

aggregate to Oxford City, having won the 

first leg 1-0 at home, in front of nearly 

2,000 spectators. Highlights that season 

included a 5-1 win at Falmouth Town 

(the longest distance ever travelled for a 

competitive match) and a 1-0 success at 

Metropolitan Police in the Quarter-Final. 

In 1982, Belper Town FC joined the newlyformed 

Northern Counties East Football 

League. The club struggled in their first 

season, but they gradually improved and 

finished as runners-up in 1988-89. The 

following season, they won the league and 

gained promotion to the Northern Premier 

League divisions. 

The 1990s were a mixed decade for Belper 

Town FC. They finished in the top half 

of the Northern Premier League several 

times, but they were also relegated to the 

Northern Counties East Football League 

in 1998. However, they bounced back 

immediately, winning the league in 1998- 

99 and earning promotion back to the 

Northern Premier League divisions. 

The club remained in the Northern Premier 

League system for the next decade, with 

their best finish being sixth place in 2003- 

04. In 2010, they were relegated to the 

Northern Counties East Football League, 

but they won the league in 2012-13 and 

earned promotion back to the Northern 

Premier League divisions. 

Promotion to the Northern Premier League 

top flight came last season, and while it 

looks as though it could be a short spell, 

are still fighting hard to remain in the 

division. 

18 


PLAYER PROFILES... 

BELPER TOWN 

TOM JACKSON (GOALKEEPER) 

Tom is an agile and commanding 

goalkeeper who joined the 

Nailers from Cleethorpes 

Town in January 2023. He 

won the Owls ‘Player of the 

Year’ award in the 2021/22 

season after an impressive 

season between the posts and 

provides a formidable last line of 

defence for the team. 

ALFIE SMITH-ECCLES (GOALKEEPER) 

Alfie arrived at the Raygar Stadium as cover for 

Tom Jackson. He came through the Academy at 

Matlock Town and had a trial for Sheffield United 

before playing for Selston and Frickley Athletic. More 

recently, Alfie signed for Derbyshire neighbours, 

Alfreton Town from where he made his latest move 

to Belper. 

BEN ALGAR (DEFENDER) 

Ben came through the youth systems of Sheffield 

United and Chesterfield, making his professional 

debut for the Spireites in 2007 against Hartlepool 

United. He made 15 league appearances for 

Chesterfield but was released in 2009 and then 

had short periods with Burton Albion and Mansfield 

Town before joining Matlock Town where he made 

29 appearances and scored three goals for the 

Gladiators. Ben moved to the US in 2011, playing for 

FC New York but moved back to the UK after the club 

folded in 2012. Since then, Ben has played at Frickley 

Athletic, AFC Mansfield and Maltby Main and was 

named in the NPL Division One Team of the Season 

in 2018/19. 

BEN RHODES (DEFENDER) 

Ben is an attacking right back who 

joined the club from Worksop 

Town in summer 2020. His 

adaptability made him a key 

addition to the Nailers squad 

last season, particularly as 

he is able to play anywhere 

across the back four. And, with 

a great attitude, Ben has really 

made his presence felt at the Raygar Stadium. He 

has also played at Stocksbridge Park Steels from 

where he had a dual registration spell with Penistone 

Church. 

TODD JORDAN 

(DEFENDER) 

Todd joined the Nailers in July 2021 from Frickley 

Athletic. Equally home in defence or midfield, Todd 

started his career at Sheffield Wednesday before 

moving to Lincoln City. He has also featured for 

Matlock, Alfreton, Buxton and Stocksbridge Park 

Steels from where he moved to Frickley in 2019. He 

impeccable performances at the heart of the Belper 

defence in the 2021/22 season, marked him out as 

one of the Nailers key players in the promotion push. 

TOM WILSON (DEFENDER) 

Tom is a promising young 

centre-half who originally 

signed a permanent deal 

with the Nailers, having 

previously signed for the 

club on a short-term loan 

from Stalybridge Celtic last 

season. He previously joined 

Celtic from Hallam FC. He started 

his football career at the Sheffield United Academy. 

Tom has been one of the mainstays of the Belper 

team since his arrival, with consistently impressive 

performances in front of the defensive line 

JOSH WOODCOCK (DEFENDER) 

Joshua initially joined the Nailers on work experience 

from Lincoln City towards the latter part of last 

season. Just 19 years of age, Josh made his debut 

for the club at Stocksbridge Park Steels in March 

2020, where he impressed with his attacking forays 

which complemented a solid defensive display. 

Joshua embarked on his football career with 

Rotherham United before joining the Imps. He made 

a permanent move to the Nailers in July 2020 and 

has now made the position his own. 

BEN MIDDLETON (DEFENDER) 

Ben is an experienced defender, capable of 

playing at right-back or centre-half. He emerged 

from Doncaster Rovers’ youth set-up to make 

numerous appearances for North Ferriby United and 

Scarborough Athletic before a move to Harrogate 

Town in the summer of 2017. He spent a brief loan 

spell with Buxton prior to signing for Boston United 

in the summer of 2018 after a couple of loan periods 

with the Pilgrims. Ben moved on to Cleethorpes 

Town in January 2022, joining brother Harry at the 

Lincolnshire club, before opting to join the Nailers in 

the 2022 close season. 


19


BELPER TOWN 

LEIGHTON THOMAS (DEFENDER) 

Leighton is another product of the Belper Town 

Academy and earned himself a place in the first 

team squad after a number of impressive displays, 

characterised by his forward runs from his usual 

right-hand defensive position. 

KYLE DIXON (MIDFIELD) 

Kyle is a midfield player with 

great drive and energy who 

can affect the game with 

the amount of ground he 

covers. He joined the Nailers 

from Gainsborough Trinity 

just before the 2022 transfer 

deadline but before that he 

has had spells with Basford 

United, Boston United and Grantham. His starring 

performances in the 2021/22 Play-off matches were 

crucial to the Nailers finally gaining promotion to the 

Premier Division. 

BRODIE LITCHFIELD 

(MIDFIELD/FORWARD) 

Once tipped to be the next Jamie Vardy, having 

burst on the scene in 2015 at Stocksbridge Park 

Steels, Brodie has enjoyed a significant measure 

of success in senior non-league circles, without 

having made the expected breakthrough into full 

time football. A former Sheffield United youngster, 

Brodie performed consistently well for the Bracken 

Moor club, eventually earning himself a move to FC 

United of Manchester. His stay with the FC United 

was relatively brief and following an impressive preseason 

at Gainsborough Trinity, he duly signed for the 

Lincolnshire club. More moves followed to Mickleover 

Sports and Ossett United before he joined the Nailers 

just before the season curtailment in March 2020. 

Brodie won the Manager’s ‘Player of the Season 

award’ in 2021/22 following his best ever campaign 

for the club. 

HARRY MIDDLETON (MIDFIELD) 

Harry began his career at Doncaster Rovers and, after 

a number of appearances in League Trophy ties in 

2014, he made his first start in a 0–0 draw at Leyton 

Orient. He established himself as a first-team regular, 

making 41 appearances across the campaign and 

signed a new deal in December 2015. Harry signed for 

Port Vale in 2017, but was allowed to join FC Halifax 

Town on loan and was eventually released by Vale in 

May 2018. He signed for Alfreton Town in 2018 but 

after only three months at North 

Street he joined Gainsborough 

Trinity. Harry went on to join Cleethorpes Town in 

2019, scored his first career goal. After the 2019/20 

season was abandoned, he signed for Grantham Town 

before returning to Cleethorpes Town. He signed for 

Belper in June 2022 on the same day as his brother, 

Ben. 

LEWIS AUSTIN (MIDFIELD) 

Lewis is a current member of the Belper Town 

Academy where his impressive displays have 

earned him a place in the first team squad. He made 

his debut for the first team as a substitute in the 

Derbyshire Senior Cup against Ashbourne Town in 

December 2022 and scored within minutes of his 

arrival onto the pitch. Lewis is certainly a player with 

a great future in the game. 

CHARLIE WAKEFIELD (MIDFIELD) 

Charlie started his career in 

the Academy at Chesterfield, 

making his debut for the 

senior team in a 3-1 loss to 

Scunthorpe United in League 

One in April 2017. He signed 

his professional contract 

in the summer. The following 

season the midfielder was loaned to 

Sheffield FC before being recalled by Chesterfield’s 

manager at the time Martin Allen. In March 2020 

he joined Matlock on a short-term loan deal. The 

midfielder was released from Chesterfield during 

the summer and in October 2020 joined Northern 

Premier League side Buxton. Charlie signed on loan 

from Ilkeston Town In September 2022. 

CHARLIE REANEY (MIDFIELD) 

Charlie is a 20-year-old wide midfield player who 

arrived at the Raygar Stadium in August 2022 

following a spell with Northern Counties East side, 

Hallam. He enjoyed some success within the youth 

set-ups at Sheffield Wednesday and played plenty 

of games for the Under 23s, but he was released 

at the end of the 2020/21 season. Since then, he 

has featured for Sheffield FC before linking up with 

Hallam and his latest move to the Nailers. 

JAMES TAGUE (FORWARD) 

James started his career at the Derby County 

Academy and also earned a scholarship contract 

at Mansfield Town. James spent the bulk of the 

20 



BELPER TOWN 

2019/20 season at Matlock Town under Steve Kittrick, 

breaking into the first team at the beginning of 2020 

and impressed by scoring goals from the middle of 

the park and having the ability to drive into the box. 

He made a move to Gainsborough Trinity in March 

2020 but his stay there was relatively short, opting 

instead to sign a two-year deal at Basford United 

after impressing boss, Steve Chettle whilst playing 

for Matlock. Following the expiry of his contract, 

James moved on to Loughborough Dynamo at the 

start of the 2022/23 season but decided on a move to 

Belper in January 2023, where his goal scoring ability 

has been much in evidence. 

LUKE MANGHAM (FORWARD) 

Luke joined the Nailers in June 

2022 from Stocksbridge Park 

Steels, where he was one 

of Steels key players in his 

five-year spell at the Eco 

Power Stadium. He scored 18 

goals in the 2021/22 season 

for Steels and also achieved a 

clean sweep of the players’ awards 

in the process. Luke originally joined Steels from 

Frickley Athletic in 2017 and was their leading scorer 

in each of his last three seasons at the club. He also 

had earlier spells at Garforth Town, Ossett Town and 

Goole. 

JACOB GRATTON (FORWARD) 

Gratton joined his boyhood club Rotherham United 

aged 9. It was a youth loan in January 2020 to 

Scarborough Athletic where Gratton got his first 

experience of first team football. Unfortunately, this 

was curtailed by a cruciate injury in February keeping 

the young striker out for a year. In August 2021 he 

joined Guiseley on loan, during which he was allowed 

to be a part of the Rotherham United squad for the 

EFL Trophy, making his first team debut for the club 

as a substitute in a 6-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers 

in September 2021. His loan spell with Guiseley ended 

in January 2022. Gratton then joined Farsley Celtic 

on loan helping the side avoid relegation. Gratton 

was released by Rotherham at the end of the 2021-22 

season. 

RIO MOLYNEAUX (FORWARD) 

Rio joined the Nailers in January 2023 following 

manager Lee Attenborough to Belper from Corby 

Town. Rio started his career at Mansfield Town 

and featured heavily for the Stags U18 set up. He 

possesses electric pace and good 

distribution from the flanks and 

this initially attracted Alfreton Town to sign him for 

the 202/21 campaign. He has since had loan spells 

at Grantham Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Frickley 

Athletic before permanent moves to Stamford and 

Cleethorpes Town before joining Corby Town at the 

start of the 2022/23 season. 

WILFRED PEEL-EVANS (FORWARD) 

Wilfred came through the youth ranks at Rotherham 

United but following his release, he joined Northern 

Counties East League side, Winterton Rangers. A 

right sided midfield player, Wilfred has started to 

make an impression at Belper, with a number of 

substitute appearances to his name. 

JAKE AVERY (FORWARD) 

Jake is an exciting talent who signed for the Nailers 

in January 2023 from Hanley Town. A prolific goal 

scorer, 21-year-old Jake netted nine goals in ten 

matches for Uttoxeter Town earlier in the season, a 

feat that earned him the move to NPL West Division 

side, Hanley Town. Jake now takes the next step up to 

display his skills and ability in the Northern Premier 

League Premier Division and made his debut for 

Belper against Bamber Bridge, coming on a second 

half substitute. 

JEROME GREAVES (FORWARD) 

Jerome is a product of the Rotherham United 

Academy and his impressive displays for the Millers 

Under 18 side earned him a two-year professional 

contract. A towering forward, he works hard but 

scores goals too and was a key to the successes 

enjoyed by the Millers Academy. He had a period 

on loan at Matlock Town at the start of the 2021/22 

season and has since made a number of appearances 

for Guiseley and then Pontefract Collieries, from 

where he joined the Nailers at the end of January 

2023. 

BELPER TOWN SQUAD DETAILS 


21

TODAY’S MATCHDAY PLAYLIST 

SELECTED BY RICHARD GREENWOOD 

1. BOB WILSON: ANCHORMAN - HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT 

2. CAST - SANDSTORM 

3. I DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE - THE WAR ON DRUGS 

4. MANHATTAN - CAT POWER 

5. TROPIC MORNING NEWS - THE NATIONAL 

6. STUTTER - ELASTICA 

7. 99 RED BALLOONS - NENA 

8. WOKE UP THIS MORNING - ALABAMA 3 

9. HOLY CITY - JOAN AS POLICEWOMAN 

10. BELINDA SAYS - ALVVAYS 

11. EVEREST - PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING 

12. DISORDER - JOY DIVISION 

13. YOU WERE RIGHT - BADLY DRAWN BOY 

14. KEEP THE CHANGE - MATTIEL 

15. PAY TO JOIN - LITTLE BARRIE 

16. FAST SLOW DISCO - ST VINCENT 

17. HISTORY ERASER - COURTNEY BARNETT 

18. SERPENTS - SHARON VAN ETTEN 

19. IT CHANGES - AMBER ARCADES 

20. SOMETHING 4 THE WEEKEND - SUPER FURRY ANIMALS 

What do you think of Richard’s selection? If you would like to submit 

your own playlist, please email: press@stalybridgeceltic.co.uk 

LISTEN TO 

TODAY’S 

PLAYLIST ON 

SPOTIFY 

22 


#ANDYSMANCLUB 

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1 MAN EVERY 2 HOURS 

TO FIND YOUR NEAREST 

GROUP VISIT OUR WEBSITE 

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION 

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We are a peer to peer support group for men. 

Come have a brew and a chat! 

#ITSOKAYTOTALK 


A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE 

WITH MICHAEL BRIERLEY 

Stalybridge Celtic FC – 2004/2006 

With a clear standing having been gained 

amongst non league’s elite, over the last 

fifteen years or so, a place in the, newly 

formed, Football Conference North ahead of 

the 2004/2005 season was an important step. 

Although retaining a place in the second tier 

of the pyramid structure brought a degree 

of familiarity and status quo, in terms of 

standings, this was in effect a new beginning 

and akin to days of old, certainly in terms 

of competitiveness anyway. In fact, it only 

highlighted the need to take things to the next 

level and get back into the big time. 

What had been very noticeable, in the earlier 

spell, was just how much the quality of the 

game had risen significantly and with it now 

having been effectively expanded, this was 

also apparent further down. Maybe it even 

made for a better spectacle but clearly, the 

opportunity to play at what was still a very high 

level and with the chance to improve further 

was a great prospect in itself. 

However, things got off to a very poor start and 

with it not going very well then Dave Miller was 

replaced as manager in favour of Peter Wragg, 

the former saviour. Unable to turn fortunes 

around and with relegation now seemingly 

imminent then, as always, putting best 

intentions first, it was decided to let someone 

else have a try. 

That man was John Reed, who alongside fan 

and people power, masterminded and pulled 

off an absolutely impossible task and the 

great escape. It all started with a crucial win 

at Bradford Park Avenue, ended with carnival 

scenes at Redditch United and if such things 

can bring success then under the new regime, 

this was surely the year for it. A remarkable 

turnaround in fortunes and just reward from 

having been dead and buried, saw a final 19th 

place finish. 

A welcome distraction had come in the Football 

Conference League Cup, which saw all teams 

under the umbrella 

compete for the trophy. 

Victories over Lancaster City, Bradford Park 

Avenue, FC Halifax Town, Morecambe and 

Accrington Stanley earned the prize and title 

of northern section champions. The highlight 

therefore came with a first ever appearance 

in a national final, yet Woking were to prevail 

in heartbreaking fashion with a last minute 

winner (Dootson, Bowker, Whealing, Keeling, 

Sykes, Atkins, Smith, Parr, Eastwood, Wilford, 

Wharton) 

Of course, this had prompted a huge sense of 

unity between fans, players and management, 

possibly never seen before and the aim of onfield 

progress was very much still prevalent for 

the 2005/2006 campaign. 

This was highlighted with a quite magnificent 

win over local rivals Hyde United, on their own 

patch, in the FA Trophy (Pettinger, Keeling, 

Barnard, Kilbane, Haran, Price, Garvey, Sykes, 

Ellington, Banim, Prince) Although the league 

will always be bread and butter, the extra 

income that can be received from a successful 

cup campaign can really help with day to day 

operations and given in a local derby that 

placings and form go totally out of the window, 

to achieve such a large victory and away from 

home only added to the joy. 

The run actually ended with an ultimate defeat 

to Salisbury City in a reply but the original 

game is worth noting for the extremely large 

travelling contingent who went, possibly the 

longest distance ever undertaken. There was 

also a defeat to Witton Albion, in the final of 

the Cheshire Senior Cup, to somewhat take 

the gloss of matters. 

For large parts then promotion had seemed 

possible but a final day crunch clash at 

Droylsden and results elsewhere meant a 

place in the play offs was missed out on. It was 

still a good and solid effort however and saw 

a final 7th place finish, with even better times 

ahead hoped for. 

24 


A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE 

WITH MICHAEL BRIERLEY 

PLAYERS & MANAGERS A-Z 

KEITH BRIGGS 

A week in and week out mainstay of central 

midfield for two years during the late 2000’s 

and early 2010’s. Appointed as player manager, 

after Jim Harvey, during the 2013/2014 season 

in the Football Conference North before 

leaving in the 2014/2015 campaign and whilst 

these were some poor times on field then did 

achieve a biggest ever win over Hyde during 

this period. 

STEVE BURR 

First appointed manager for the 2007/2008 

season in the Football Conference North, 

after John Reed. Achieved instant success 

by reaching the play off final and marking the 

best times achieved since the historic and 

unprecedented treble success, yet left for 

pastures new during the 2009/2010 campaign. 

STEVE BURR 

Returned for a second managerial spell 

during the 2016/2017 season in the Football 

Conference North, succeeding Paul Phillips, 

although could not prevent relegation to the 

Northern Premier League. Left at the end of a 

difficult 2017/2018 campaign. 

DAVID FRAIN 

Commanding centre half and ever present of 

the back line for three years during the mid 

1990’s. Had a brief stint as caretaker manager, 

after the resignation of Peter Wragg, in the 

1995/1996 Football Conference season. 

PAUL FUTCHER 

Came after the second Phil Wilson era for a final 

one year foray into the Football Conference at 

the start of the 2001/2002 season. Achieved a 

first round FA Cup appearance prior to leaving 

before the end of the year after a poor run of 

results. 

JIM HARVEY 

Arrived in the 2009/2010 and centenary season 

in the Football Conference North, following 

the short lived Benny 

Phillips spell. Introduced a 

full time project, in what were difficult financial 

times, before leaving during the 2013/2014 

campaign. 

SIMON HAWORTH 

Appointed, after the second Steve Burr era, for 

the 2018/2019 season in the Northern Premier 

League. Left at the end of the 2021/2022 

campaign, with time spent being curtailed by 

two covid induced years. 

MARK HINE 

Midfielder, for two years during the mid to late 

1990’s and once scored a goal at Hayes direct 

from a corner. Had a brief stint as caretaker 

manager following the departure of Brian 

Kettle in the 1997/1998 Football Conference 

season, the last in the original spell. 

KEVAN KEELAN 

Followed Mel Sterland and tasked with 

guidance back to the big time from the 

Northern Premier League at the start of the 

1997/1998 season but left not long afterwards. 

Former well regarded striker, having scored 

many goals, who had an earlier managerial 

spell and is credited as being the record 

appearance holder. 

BRIAN KETTLE 

Came in following the resignation of Peter 

Wragg and caretakership of David Frain in 

the 1995/1996 Football Conference season, 

before leaving during the 1997/1998 campaign. 

Achieved a first round appearance in the FA 

Cup during time spent in the hot seat. 

DAVE MILLER 

Appointed, after Paul Futcher, during the 

2001/2002 Football Conference season but 

could not prevent relegation to the Northern 

Premier League. Won the Presidents Cup 

during time spent in charge and left during 

the 2004/2005 Football Conference North 

campaign. 


25

THE HALF TIME QUIZ: 

FINGERS ON THE BUZZER… 

It’s time to test your footballing knowledge once again in this weekend’s Half Time Quiz. We’ve 

got all the usual suspects and a chance for you to win free entry to a game of your choice. 

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 Facebook account at half 

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

Congratulations to Brian 

Longdenl who correctly 

guessed that the ball 

was in position A in the 

programme for our home 

game against Stafford 

Rangers. We’ll see you down 

at the ‘Fold on us. 

BRAIN TEASER: 

We’re following a similar theme to last week but rather than music, we’re looking at Hollywood. Yes, 

Stalyvegas has had its fair share of players with the same name as famous actors too, but can you 

pick out the three that have been both on screen and in the back of a Celtic programme? 

A) Tom Baker B) William Roache C) Andrew Scott D) James Dean E) Tom Hardy 

A special mention to Chris Hall (Chord Melodic), who played both for us and starred in Hollyoaks! 

NAME THE XI: 

It’s perhaps a shame we aren’t playing yesterday, a date in which the Celts have netted 7 

(seven) in a game twice! The last of those came in 2009, which also included seven different 

scorers. But can you name the missing players from the starting XI? 

1. ????? 

2. Ashley Woolliscroft 

3. Rhys Meynell 

4. ????? 

5. Michael Bowler 

6. Paul Sykes 

7. Steve Torpey 

8. ????? 

9. Matty Barlow 

10. Lee Ellington 

11. Chris Denham 

Answers can be found 

on page 32. 

26 


UPDATE 

SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION 

Bridge Aid Goes Off With A Bang 

A huge thank you to everybody that came down to 

support Bridge Aid last Sunday. The event had plenty 

of great acts and raised a fantastic £900 for the 

Supporter’s Association. 

Organised by promoters Stylish Riot, some of the best 

bands Tameside has to offer turned up at the New 

Labour Club, headlined by Plastic Heart. Our own Chris 

Dale kicked the music off with a set of his own songs, before the likes 

of Cobain Jones and Jacob Reddy made their way to the stage. 

The SCSA would like to also give a huge thank you to the Labour Club, 

who were the perfect hosts and we look forward to partnering with 

them for more events in the future. 

Keep your eyes peeled for more fundraisers, which will be announced in due course. 

The SCSA Easter Egg Drive: Donate at the Bier Hut 

and SCSA Shop 

With Easter coming up and a run of home fixtures throughout 

March, the SCSA appealing for Easter egg donations throughout 

the month. 

The SCSA Easter Egg Drive will be collecting for Barty’s Food Bank at 

the following matches: 

• 4 March: Belper Town 

• 11 March: South Shields 

• 25 March: Ashton United 

Club Shop Running Prime Raffle 

Donations can be made at either the Bier Hut or the SCSA Shop. We’d 

encourage everybody who can to make a donation. It’ll make a real 

difference and, hopefully, make a little kid’s Easter too! 

The club shop is now stocking sweets and chocolate, the perfect half-time treat. Alongside this 

they are currently running a raffle for 12 bottles of the hit energy drink, Prime. Tickets can be 

bought from the SCSA shop for £2 each with the raffle drawn during the home game against South 

Shields on March 11. All funds raised will go to the SCSA. 

Over the coming weeks the shop will also be running a raffle for a signed match ball. Watch this 

space… 

Condolences to the Pendry Family 

Finally, the SCSA would like to extend its condolences to the Pendry family following the loss of 

Lord Tom Pendry. 

We all are aware of the help he provided the club over many years, becoming patron of 

Stalybridge Celtic. His legacy will live on, not least in the stand at Bower Fold named in his 

honour. 

He will be sorely missed. 


27

MY CELTIC XI 

WITH EUAN WELSH 

Years Supporting Club: 15 

First Game: 

2008 Play-Off 

Semi-Final against 

Southport 

All-Time Favourite Player: Connor Jennings 

Favourite Memory: 

There are quite a few to choose 

from but it has to be beating Hyde 7-1, no better 

feeling than battering Hyde! 

GREG HALL 

JOEL BEMBO-LETA 

JACK HIGGINS 

MATTY HUGHES 

STEPHEN BROGAN 

BEN MCKENNA 

CALLUM WARBURTON 

ADAM PEPPER 

GREG WILKINSON 

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN CONNOR JENNINGS 

SUBSTITUTES: ALEX CAIRNS, DANNY WISDOM, JACK REA, PHIL MARSH, LIAM DICKINSON 

What do you think of Euan’s selection? If you would like to submit your Celtic Best XI, 

please email: press@stalybridgeceltic.co.uk 

28 


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 

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

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SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN THE 

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In Italy, where screening is mandatory for all 

young people engaged in organised sport, they 

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The Daniel Wilkinson Foundation has been 

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OUR MISSION 

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INSIDE THE DRESSING ROOM... 

WITH MATTY CARSON 

There was a lot of chatter pre-game on Tuesday, and it largely 

concluded with someone pulling out a video of another Matty 

Carson free kick; a player that made 11 appearances for the club 

and was here for little over three months. But the impression he left 

will certainly last a whole lot longer. 

Matty embraced life at Celtic, and it’s fair to give a shout-out to his family 

for doing exactly the same. He put in some fantastic performances during 

his time at the club, with the Liversedge game a particular highlight, and 

we were all sad to see him leave, albeit excited and delighted at the same time as he gets his chance at a higher 

level. 

He’s back though, for one match only, and sadly not on the pitch as we caught up with Matty to see how he was 

getting on and look back at his spell with Willcock’s men… 

Team You Support: Liverpool 

Favourite Food: Steak 

Best Player Played With: Tyler Morton 

Best Player Played Against: Jude Bellingham 

Dream Holiday: Dubai 

Favourite TV Show: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air 

Hi Matty, firstly, I hope all is 

well. How are you settling in at 

Reading? 

I’ve settled in really well thank you, and I 

am loving it. I’ve been looked after really 

well by all the people there and feel at home 

already. 

Have you been put on free kicks 

yet? We hope so! 

Yes I have! With them being part of my game 

I try and stay out as much as I can practicing 

them, I’ve already scored one so the practice 

is paying off. 

We enjoyed a good run of form 

during your time at the club. From 

all accounts it seems you enjoyed 

your time in the Celtic dressing 

room? 

Yeah I loved being at Celtic with a great 

set of lads. They helped me settle in really 

quickly, and we managed to pick up some 

really good results. 

We’ll all remember that Liversedge 

game in particular. It was a great 

start to 2023 for you! We hope the 

match ball has a pride of place? 

It was a great day for me personally and to 

start the year off like that was special. With 

it being my first hat-trick, I’ll never forget 

that game. The match ball is signed by all 

the lads and in a frame in my bedroom. 

There are a few experienced lads 

in the Celtic side. Were you able to 

pick up much from them? 

The experienced lads really helped me 

develop into a ‘men’s’ footballer, and 

helped me learn some aspects of the game 

I hadn’t been taught before which I’m now 

using to help me and also help the younger 

lads coming through at Reading. 

How different was it moving into 

non-league for a spell after going 

through academies at Liverpool, 

Burnley and Accrington? 

It was really enjoyable. I had been in the 

men’s game since I was 16-17. At Burnley, I 

went on loan to Nelson FC and Padiham FC, 

so I’d had a taste for it when I was younger. 

I’d also been out to Northern Ireland last 

season and AFC Telford at the start of this 

season so again I knew what men’s football 

had to offer, but as a kid coming through at 

Liverpool and Burnley it was so different. 

The way the game is played, the will to win 

games and how important three points is. As 

a kid playing academy football sometimes 

winning isn’t the most important thing, it’s 

about your development as a footballer 

technically, so it was a massive change but 

one you have to adapt to. 

I feel I have adapted pretty well to the 

physicality of the men’s game and gaining 

this experience should help me with my 

career. 

You came through the ranks at 

Liverpool, what was it like for 

a young lad to work your way 

through the system there? Was 

there much engagement with the 

first team? 

At times it was really tough, being there 

from aged six until I was 13-14, I had many 

ups and downs. 

I was lucky enough to go on tour and play 

some great teams like AC Milan, Valencia 

and Galatasaray, and those experiences I’ll 

probably never forget. 

We had a little engagement with the first 

team, each year we would have first-team 

players come down to the academy from 

the Melwood training ground and spend the 

day training with us. So, I’ve been lucky to 

train with Coutinho, Lucas Leiva, and Steven 

Gerrard. 

Also, we would occasionally go down to 

Melwood and train down there which 

was always a great experience, having 

Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp watch 

or sometimes even take our training 

sessions was surreal looking back at it. All 

my experiences at Liverpool have certainly 

helped me be the footballer I am today. 

Finally, can we expect to see you 

down at Bower Fold in the future? 

I think many of the fans miss your 

Dad just as much as you! 

Oh 100%! The support from the fans was 

unreal and I can’t thank them all enough for 

the support they showed. My family loved 

coming down and they felt so welcomed, so 

thank you to everyone who helped welcome 

my family, especially my Dad. He loved it 

just as much as I did, if not even more. 

Thanks Matty. Good luck from everyone 

here at Stalybridge, and we look forward to 

watching where your career takes you! 

30 


THE SUPPORT 

FROM THE FANS WAS 

UNREAL AND I CAN’T 

THANK THEM ALL 

ENOUGH FOR 

THE SUPPORT 

THEY SHOWED. 


31

QUIZ ANSWERS 

BRAIN TEASER: 

A) Tom Baker, C) Andrew Scott, D) James Dean 

NAME THE XI: 

1. Paul Phillips, 

4. Barrie Keeling, 

8. Keith Briggs 

32 


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35

36

FROM THE ARCHIVES 

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2003 

GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 1-1 STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 

Northern Premier League 

Gainsborough were rocked by a goal straight from the kick off. Eastwood 

controlling a cross field ball, and expertly sending it to the back post 

for Hallows to net his first goal since coming back from injury and loan. 

The lead didn’t last long, as Trinity battled to get back into the game. 

Ellington’s cross was nodded past Dootson by Grant after quarter of 

an hour, but it was Celtic who were taking the initiative, and providing 

problems for the home defence, and were unlucky not to double their 

tally and regain the lead with some excellent work by Hallows and 

Eastwood who look a natural pairing. German twice almost grabbed a 

goal, and Potts took the paint off the post about half an hour in. Trinity 

did get close just before the end of the half, but a timely interception 

from Bowker prevented Grant from getting his second. Indeed, apart 

from the goal Dootson had not been needed! 

The second half saw every increasing pressure from Celtic, but no goals, 

with Hallows heading a Potts cross over the bar, and Eastwood trapping 

Potts’ lay off to turn and fire just wide. Potts himself went close twice, 

once dancing through the Trinity defence, and eventually shooting wide 

of the mark, then later playing off Eastwood to get into the box, but as 

Pettinger advanced off his line, Potts’ chip cleared the keeper, and the 

bar narrowly avoiding giving Celtic the lead again. Trinity were never 

really in the second half, despite replacing Jones with Stant with quarter 

of an hour to go, and it was sheer bad luck that saw Celtic come away 

with only one poin, especially after a dead-cert handball appeal was 

waved away inside the penalty area. 

This was by far a better performance from Celtic, and bodes well for 

Worksop on Saturday. Parr’s return to the middle of the park, and the 

pairing of Hallows and Eastwood made the team looked balanced and 

slick. 


37

38 


IT’S IN THE NET 

WITH DEBORAH TAYLOR 

TODAY’S VISITORS: BELPER TOWN 

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

Litchfield, Brodie 5 1 6 0 6 South Shields H Sat 25 Feb 23 0-1 L 

Mangham, Luke 3 2 5 0 5 Gainsborough Trinity A Sat 18 Feb 23 2-2 D 

Middleton, Ben 1 3 0 4 4 Marine H Sat 11 Feb 23 1-2 L 

Tuton, Shaun 0 2 1 1 2 Radcliffe A Tue 07 Feb 23 2-4 L 

Greaves, Jerome 0 2 1 1 2 Liversedge A Sat 04 Feb 23 3-1 W 

BONUS STAT 

Belper’s only clean sheet on the road was a 2-0 

away at Morpeth. Their only clean sheet at home was 

against Celtic, also 2-0. They beat Stafford home 

and away. Nobody has conceded more goals and 

they have the third away worst attack in the league. 

In their last five away games, they have lost three, 

drawn one and won one, beating Liversedge. 

QUICK STATS 22/23 (AWAY AND OVERALL) 

Average goals 0.9 1.0 Total goals 18 33 

Average concede 2.1 2.2 Total Concede 34 70 

Scored in 12 24 Clean sheets 1 2 

Conceded in 15 30 Failed to score 4 8 

Away Record 3W 3D 10L Current Position 22nd 

CELTIC’S LAST RESULTS AGAINST BELPER TOWN 

27/09/2022 A 2-0 L NP Litchfield 20; Mangham 23 

01/09/2020 H 2-2 D FR Holness 29; Ustabasi 50 Woodcock 32; South 75 

OVERALL 

SUMMARY SINCE 2000 

Wins 

Loses 

Draws 

2 

Last league win 

Belper’s first 

competitive visit 

to Bower Fold 


39

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43

TODAY’S TEAMS 

AT BOWER FOLD 

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 

Greg Hall 

Connor Leach 

Kyle Harrison 

Jacob Lara 

Danny Burns 

Glebs Klujevs 

Ciaran Summers 

Dahrius Waldron 

Alfie Henderson 

Ethan Padden 

Tom Miller 

Harry Benns 

David Edwards 

Matthew Jones 

Aarron Grewal 

George Omokua 

Godwin Abadaki 

Domaine Rouse 

Nathan Caine 

Piteu Crouz 

Djavan Pedro 

Chris Dagnall 

Raul Correia 

BELPER TOWN 

Tom Jackson 

Alfie Smith-Eccles 

Ben Algar 

Ben Rhodes 

Todd Jordan 

Tom Wilson 

Josh Woodcock 

Ben Middleton 

Leighton Thomas 

Kyle Dixon 

Harry Middleton 

Lewis Austin 

Charlie Wakefield 

Charlie Reaney 

Brodie Litchfield 

James Tague 

Luke Mangham 

Jacob Gratton 

Rio Molyneaux 

Wilfred Peel-Evans 

Jake Avery 

Jerome Greaves 

Referee: Francis Sibley 

Assistants: Christopher Willan and Carl Trott 

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

21 - Stalybridge Celtic vs Belper Town

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