STALYBRIDGE Celtic players have taken pay cuts to stick with the club as it battles through money troubles.
And manager Chris Willcock says that unwavering commitment is making them stronger on the pitch.
The Bower Fold boss has had his budget cut by 20 per cent as the supporters association says about £25,000 is needed to be raised to assist the club through the season.
Since that announcement, Celtic have won two Northern Premier League matches, scoring six goals without conceding in the process.
And after the 2-0 win over high-flying Gainsborough Trinity, Willcock revealed how his squad rallied to his support.
He said after Ciaran Summers and Harry Benns’ goals: “That’s what they’ve had to do and it’s really refreshing.
“There’s not a lot of loyalty in this day and age, so through all that’s gone on, for the lads to stay and continue with what we’re doing, all the credit goes to them.
“I’ve asked them to stay and be part of that process with the situation that we’re in and they’ve wanted to do so.
“I can only thank the players for doing that and long may it continue.
“It’s a manager’s or coach’s dream.
“And it has galvanised us, our mentality is stronger and the fact we only lost three players, with everyone else wanting to stay and be part of the process that’s started.
“I want to try and change the mentality of the whole club – that’s not going to happen overnight, it’s not going to happen in 20 games but people are seeing what I want from my players, what the fans want and what the club needs going forward to be successful.
“The fact we’ve still got a very competitive side with the situation we’re in speaks volumes. We’re in a different place now, mentally and physically.
“We’d have conceded in the second half earlier on in the season but we have that mentality now where we didn’t.
“Our situation is well documented but what it has done is galvanised us.
“Everybody’s working hard to change that but as long as we keep working how we are, there’ll be some very good times ahead.”