Stalybridge Celtic F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = Stalybridge Celtic


fullname = Stalybridge Celtic Football Club
nickname = The Badgers
founded = 1909 "(possibly 1906)"
ground = Bower Fold Stalybridge
capacity = 6,500 (1,500 seated)
chairman = Rob Gorski
manager = Steve Burr
league = Conference North |
position = Conference North, 3rd
season = 2007-08
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Stalybridge Celtic are an English semi-professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England. They traditionally play in the colours of blue and white. The club's ground is "Bower Fold". They have achieved very few major trophies throughout its history, but have won several local cup and league competitions and was a Football League club for two seasons between 1921 and 1923.

History

The club's formation is usually given as 1909 but may have been as early as 1906 when an amateur club with the same name was formed. There were players called Storrs and Manwood who played in the 1906 and 1909 teams, and a player called Rhodes who played in the amateur's first game; a Herbert Rhodes was a significant benefactor of the 'later' Celtic. [cite book |last= Twydell|first= Dave|title= Rejected F.C. Volume 1|year= 1992|publisher= Yore Publications|location= Harefield|isbn= 1-87-442700-3]

The club played for two seasons in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League, before turning professional and joining the Lancashire Combination becoming second division champions at the first attempt. They followed it up with a fourth place and runners up spot in the Central League. In an attempt to progress the club joined the Southern League. The club rejoined the Central League for the 1921-1922 season, winning the title and in 1922 became one of the founder members of the Football League's Third Division (North). However financial difficulties forced the club to resign after just two years. They joined the Cheshire County League remaining members for 60 years and winning the title on several occasions. With the league's merger with the Lancashire Combination in 1982, they became founder members of the North West Counties League, winning the title in 1984 and 1987, with the latter triumph resulting in them being promoted to the Northern Premier League (NPL). After five years membership, the club won the title and was promoted to the Football Conference. However in 1998 the club was relegated back to the NPL after finishing bottom.

In 2001, the club had one of the best seasons in its entire history, achieving "the historic treble" winning the "Cheshire Senior Cup", the "Presidents Cup" and the Unibond Premier Division, thus being promoted back to the Football Conference, though they were relegated after only one season. When the conference added a second level for the 2004-5 season, the club became one of the founders of the new Conference North where they have remained to date. Until the end of 2006/2007 season the manager was John Reed, who had extensive experience as a manager in English non-league football, including three successful seasons as manager of fc|Harrogate Town. Northern Nomads ground-shared with The Celts for several years. On 30 May 2007 Steve Burr was appointed as a manager.

The 2007-08 season was one of the best in recent times; after finishing 18th the previous year, a third place finish in the league meant a promotion opportunity to the Conference National was presented via the play-offs. After reaching the final, Stalybridge were denied after a 1–0 defeat to Barrow. On the positive side Stalybridge destroyed their deadly rivals Hyde United 3 times in a season.

tadium

There has been a ground at Bower Fold since 1906 but the main stands stem from construction starting in the 1970s and finishing in the mid '80s. The main stand holds about 700 people, is all seated.

It is possible for the ground to be segregated with self-contained areas which include separate turnstiles, refreshment facilities and toilets (though this is rarely necessary). The away fans' area in this case is uncovered. The next area (clockwise from the away fans' area) around the ground is the Lockwood and Greenwood stand which is a covered standing area. This area is popular with home fans when Stalybridge are kicking towards this goal. Next is an uncovered standing area, followed by the Family Stand (a seated area) with a capacity of approximately three hundred. Next is a small uncovered area followed by the covered Joe Jackson stand. The Club shop and bar are behind this stand. Away fans are allowed to use the bar and there is no admission charge. Next are the main turnstiles, refreshment facilities and disabled spectators' area.

The ground's capacity of approximately 6,500 has not been reached recently. The attendance was nearly 4,000 when Chester visited. The Northern Premier League attendance record was broken when Stalybridge faced Emley towards the end of the 2000/2001 season, when 3,500 attended.

Players

:"As of 3 June, 2008."

Current squad

Honours

*Challenge Shield - 1955, 1978
*Cheshire County League - 1980
*Cheshire County League Cup - 1922
*Cheshire Senior Cup - 1953, 2001
*Edward Case Cup - 1978
*Intermediate Cup - 1958, 1969
*Lancashire Combination Division Two - 1912
*Lancashire Floodlit Cup - 1989
*Manchester Senior Cup - 1923
*North West Counties League - 1984, 1987
*North West Counties Super Cup - 1984
*Northern Premier League - 1992, 2001
*Northern League Cup - 1992, 1999
*President's Cup - 2001, 2003

References

External links

* [http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/index.php Official site]
* [http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/ClubbyClub/ClubHistories/StalybridgeCeltic.htm Every match result and League table when they were in the Football League]