STALYBRIDGE Celtic have confirmed the arrival of three players and the retention of seven players, while two others have left the club and an experienced campaigner has retired.
The Bower Fold outfit have already undergone a busy close-season rebuild as Jon Macken’s side look to bounce back from last season’s play-off heartbreak and secure promotion.
Celtic have confirmed the signings of Northern Premier League West title winner Cameron Fogerty and Lewis Rawsthorn, while forward Jack Irlam has joined the growing list of players committing their futures to the club alongside defender Jack Byrne.
Captain Liam Tongue, last season’s top scorer Ruben Jerome, Charlie Doyle and Jack Tinning will all remain at the Tameside club, while experienced centre-half Josh Granite became the club’s first new signing of the summer.
Midfielder Fogerty arrives after back-to-back title-winning seasons with Bury FC, most recently helping the Shakers lift the NPL West title in April.
The 22-year-old made 86 appearances for Bury, scoring six goals and recording eight assists, and is already well known to manager Macken and assistant Steve Atkinson from their time working together at Witton Albion.
After completing the move, Cameron told the club’s media team: “I’m very grateful for the opportunities Steve and Jon have given me throughout my career – from academy football to non-league.
“Stalybridge was always going to be my preferred option after finding out I was leaving Bury. It’s the biggest club in the league with a great history. I’m hungry and my only focus is winning this league again and helping the club to go one step further.”
‘The decision was a simple one for me’
There was more good news for Celtic supporters as defender Byrne extended his stay for the 2026/27 campaign.
The full-back made 48 appearances after joining from Widnes FC last summer and quickly became a popular figure at Bower Fold.
Jack said: “I spoke with Jon back at the club after the play-off final and we practically agreed terms there and then. The decision was a simple one for me.
“Last season was great and I felt that we really started to build on something. To be offered a place was great for me and I’m very happy to be here again for the 2026/2027 season. I’m really looking forward to push for promotion next season.”
Forward Irlam has also committed for another year after enjoying an impressive campaign in which he scored 18 goals and contributed nine assists.
Having joined Celtic from 1874 Northwich in September 2023, the striker surpassed 100 appearances for the club last season and is now set for a third year in blue and white.
He said: “It’s a no-brainer to stay after what happened last season. I’m desperate to get going and avenge last season cause it was a tough one to take. See youse all soon!”
Celtic have also secured the permanent return of striker Rawsthorn from Bury for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bower Fold during the 2024/25 season, scoring 13 goals and registering eight assists in 28 appearances after initially arriving from Radcliffe FC.
Since then, Rawsthorn spent time with local rivals Hyde United before joining Bury at the end of 2025, where he scored five goals in 13 matches.
Speaking after sealing his return, he told the club’s media team: “I’m delighted to be back! It has been talked about a couple of times since I last played here in 2025 but it couldn’t quite happen. I’m excited to get back playing at Bower Fold and can’t wait to see what this season holds for us.”
Chalmers brings curtain down on career
Alongside the arrivals and renewals, Celtic have also confirmed the departures of Max Leonard and Sean Tse, while experienced defender Aaron Chalmers has retired after almost two decades in football.
Leonard leaves after making 115 appearances and scoring 24 goals since arriving in 2023, including memorable strikes against Darlaston Town and Avro.
Tse departed following one season at the club, during which he made 33 appearances and scored important goals against Wythenshawe FC and Bootle FC.
Chalmers brings the curtain down on a long non-league career after three spells with Celtic and 138 appearances for the club. The defender also represented clubs including Oldham Athletic, Macclesfield Town, Hyde United and Bury.
Celtic narrowly missed promotion from the Northern Premier League West Division last season after losing 4-2 to Avro in the play-off final, despite recording their highest points tally since 2001 and reaching the play-offs for the first time since 2008.
With Macken and his backroom team already committed for next season, optimism is growing that Stalybridge can finally secure promotion to the NPL Premier Division.