Photography by Josh Brierley
A FOOTBALLER at a Tameside club is hoping to raise £5,000 to help pay for the operation he needs to continue playing the sport he loves.
Brandon Newell had been enjoying a fine season with Stalybridge Celtic until he sustained a serious injury.
The midfielder was withdrawn early in the second half of the 1-0 victory at Warrington Town in the Cheshire Senior Cup on March 25, after being on the receiving end of a nasty challenge.
A week later, the 20-year-old confirmed he would not play again during 2024/25 but vowed to make a recovery.
He shared on social media: “Sad to say my season is over with a ruptured AITFL (anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament) in my ankle.
“Just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved at Stalybridge for all the support. It’s been another year of learning, meeting some top people and for that I’m grateful. I’ll be back.”
Brandon had undergone scans which have shown he requires an operation in order to resolve the injury.
It’s not the first time he’s had to undergo surgery, after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury three years ago.
Brandon has been quoted just over £7,000 by a hospital to carry out the procedure he needs – which includes a pre-assessment appointment, the surgery itself, his stay in hospital, equipment to help with home recovery, post-operative care, physiotherapy, and follow-up care.
His dad Lee Newell has set up a GoFundMe page and is appealing to the local community to help support the costs involved.
Sad to say my season is over with a ruptured AITFL in my ankle 🤦♂️ just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved at Stalybridge for all the support. It’s been another year of learning , meeting some top people and for that I’m grateful. I’ll be back ✌️💙 pic.twitter.com/r9QnF876pv
— Brandon Newell (@BrandonoNewell) April 2, 2025
“Football is everything to him,” Lee said of Brandon. “He’s very unlucky as this injury only happens to five in 100,000 people every year.
“He’s having to pay £5,000 towards the operation himself as his insurance will only contribute a maximum of £2,000 which he’s gutted about to say the least.
“If he has the operation as soon as possible, he can get back to playing ready for next season.
“He’s had no luck with big injuries after overcoming an ACL injury in 2022 which he’s still paying off after having private treatment for this.
“Anyone willing to donate something to Brandon would mean the world to him.”
Brandon is currently in his second stint playing at Stalybridge, having initially joined in the summer of 2023 following spells at Abbey Hulton, Macclesfield and Wythenshawe Town.
He left Bower Fold in November that year before joining Witton Albion, where he spent months on the sidelines after his ACL injury but recovered to make 44 appearances in the 2023/24 campaign.
Following a brief spell at Prescot Cables, Brandon returned to Celtic in November 2024. Two weeks later, he earned the Man of the Match award after scoring twice and assisting another goal as Stalybridge came from 3-0 down to beat Hednesford Town 4-3.
The youngster also netted the winner in a 1-0 victory over Kidsgrove Athletic at Bower Fold in February as he ended the campaign with three goals and six assists in 24 appearances.
Jon Macken’s side will finish sixth in the Northern Premier League West Division, one place below the play-off places, after rescuing a point with a late penalty in a 2-2 draw at local rivals Mossley on Easter Monday.
Celtic end the league campaign at home to City of Liverpool on Saturday before facing Runcorn Linnets in the Cheshire Senior Cup final on Tuesday, May 6, at Chester’s Deva Stadium.
Over £1,300 has already been raised towards Brandon’s surgery. You can make a donation here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/aitfl-tear-surgery-donation