NEW Stalybridge Celtic manager Chris Willcock’s has already made 15 signings as his new-look squad takes shape.
Only five of last season’s side have remained at Bower Fold with striker Raul Correia handing the club a major boost by agreeing to stay.
Correia has been joined by Dougie Nyaupembe, Ethan Padden, Aaron Grewal and Matty Jones.
Celtic have announced seven of the 10 new signings – they were not in a position to reveal the remaining ones at the time The Correspondent went to print.
Of the seven named so far, Ben Woods has returned to the Celtic having had a short spell with the club in 2020.
They have also brought in brothers Godwin and Osebi Abadaki, Greg Hall, Kyle Harrison while the two latest captures this week were Cameron Darkwah and Harry Benns, the latter from Hyde United.
Willcock also disclosed he is still in negotiations with Justin Johnson, last season’s top scorer, who he would also like to stay.
Willcock, who is looking to add another five players to squad, is pleased with the way it is taking shape.
There were also four players on trial when pre-season training got underway on Saturday, June 25.
He said: “Recruitment has gone relatively well, though I have not managed to get all my top targets.
“Raul is a really good signing. His goals’ ratio of eight in 16 games last season was impressive.
“You cannot beat that form and stats at this level. If he continues, there will be a lot of interest in him.
“Raul wanted to buy into the project, the new ethos and what we are trying to achieve.”
Willcock added Darkwah, who has played for Stockport County in the EFL and Chorley, is a “marquee signing”.
Celtic hope Hall will solve problem goalkeeping spot after he signed from Northern Premier League rivals Witton Albion.
Celtic fielded a remarkable nine goalkeepers in a jinxed 2021-22 campaign for the stoppers after first-choice Grant Shenton spent most of the season missing through injury.
Hall played for Willcock at Glossop North End when they reached Wembley in the final of the FA Vase.
The experienced goalkeeper joins up with Celtic after making 40 appearances for Witton in 2021-22 season.
Hall is a four-time winner of the North West Counties Football League goalkeeper-of-the-season award and Willock described his signing as a “no brainer”.
Earlier, Harrison became Willcock’s first signing since succeeding Simon Haworth as manager.
The pair are reunited after right-back Harrison played under Willcock at Ramsbottom and most recently Workington.
Harrison spent three years at Hyde and was part of the team that reached the FA Cup, first round, playing in their 4-0 defeat by MK Dons.
Woods, an attacking left-sided defender made 33 appearances last season for Stafford Rangers helping them to eighth place in Celtic’s division.
Woods, 25, initially joined Celtic in July 2020 from West Didsbury & Chorlton and played five games for the club before the season was cut short.
He previously featured for 1874 Northwich, Ramsbottom United and had a spell with Lorca FC in Spain.
Correia, 29, who was born in Angola, signed for Celtic in January.
“We had looked at players like Callum Saunders, who has moved from Witton Albion to Ashton United, but are delighted Raul has re-signed,” explained chairman Rob Gorski.
Correia is much travelled in non-league as well as having a spell in professional football at Blackpool. He joined Celtic from Aberystwyth Town.
The Abadaki brothers are reunited after last playing together for Willcock when he managed Shaw Lane Aquaforce in 2014-15.
Midfielder Godwin, 28, began his career at Rochdale and had loan spells with Hyde, Huddersfield Town, Southport in addition to Celtic.
He spent time with Mossley, Nantwich Town, Shaw Lane, Buxton and most recently Ramsbottom United.
Forward Osebi, 31, arrives from Matlock Town. He started his career at Blackburn Rovers before moving into non-league football.
Osebi spent time with Salford City, Nantwich Town, Shaw Lane, Stafford Rangers, Hednesford, Buxton, Ashton United and most recently, Matlock Town.
Darkwah, 29, also a forward, made his debut for Stockport County in 2010.
He had a loan spell at Mossley in 2011 when he scored a hat-trick on his debut for the Lilywhites against Ossett Albion.
Midfielder Benns, 22, joined Hyde in 2019 following his release by Port Vale with Willcock saying he was looking for a new challenge.