Images by Bill Shepherd/Stalybridge Celtic
STALYBRIDGE Celtic may have proudly stood since 1909 and has a rich and varied history – but one words stands out at the moment, new.
New owners, new manager, new players, a new sense of optimism.
Despite owning its right as an integral part of the community., it was fair to say things were becoming tired around Bower Fold.
Like many community clubs, Celtic faced financial struggles and many wondered if they would continue to operate at all.
Last season, then manager Chris Willcock saw his budget cut by 20 per cent and fans raised money to help plug a budget shortfall.
But the summer’s takeover by Nigel Jones and Paul Bowden injected some much-needed ambition and already the green shoots of recovery are showing.
Despite relegation to the Northern Premier League West Division, new manager James Kinsey has guided them to third place.
Off the field, the new men in charge are already making changes, a planning application has been lodge to get rid of the old social club while many things have been spruced up.
Nigel told The Correspondent: “Making the most of what we have is exactly what we’re going to look to do. We’re going to try and maximise the playing budget as at this level.
“It makes a difference, it really does. That brings you success, you get the best team, you win the league.
“To do that, though, we need to build gates – we need to get people through the door. If you get people through the door, they want facilities. They want something to eat, they want something to drink.”
2023 has been dubbed as a ‘new era’ for the club, and it certainly is beginning to feel that way.
Summer brought more new faces, key signings included Liverpool Under-21s player Lewis Hewitson, Macclesfield star Brandon Newall, Lucas Cook of Australian side Perth Glory and gifted midfielder Alex Kiwomya.
Both on and off the pitch, smiles are slowly being reintroduced at Bower Fold. Week on week, attendances are filling the stands.
That was the aim of Stalybridge Celtic Supporters Association during what seemed the darkest days as it raised £25,000 to help the club through.
Vice-chair Alasdair Brown said: “People who hadn’t been for a few years said, ‘We can notice that feeling of community is so much stronger.’
“A club without a club is nothing, which is why we had to do this.”
Now the takeover has gone through, things are settling down and – on the face of it – progressing, the aim is to go even further.
Nigel added: “We want to manage inside of the ground better.
“Clubs have to make the most of matchday revenues, otherwise they’ve no chance and with natural growth, I’d like to get back to step three quickly.
“But Stalybridge Celtic should be in the Conference North – and it would be nice to see gates of 1,000. We’d want a four-figure gate as you can get revenue where you can do things.
“Everything’s there.”
Celtic has survived two World Wars, the reign of six monarchs and, most recently, a worldwide pandemic.
Now with fresh funding, faithful fans and results on the pitch, things are beginning to look up.