Stalybridge Celtic appoint new first team manager

Stalybridge Celtic have announced the appointment of Jon Macken as their new first team manager.

The 47-year-old joins the Club after most recently enjoying two successful seasons at Witton Albion and having also achieved promotion from the Northern Premier League West with Radcliffe.

Jon’s professional career as a striker saw him make over 450 appearances for the likes of Preston North End, Manchester City, Barnsley and Walsall across all four professional divisions from the Premier League to League Two.

Chairman Nigel Jones said: “We’re delighted to have secured the services of Jon. We felt it was a great fit for both sides and he shares our ambition as a Club to progress.

“We went through a very intense process, with some great candidates. We whittled it down to five strong people. They all had good qualities but Jon stood out with his experience and proven success at our level as well as his experience of playing at the top level key. Jon’s professionalism, adaptability and way in which he gets the most out of players were big plus points and we think he’ll be able to come in and hit the ground running.

“We took lots of feedback from different people into account as well as discussing the decision with our interim management team who have all been tremendously supportive with the process. I’d like to say a big thank you to Liam, Greg, Aaron, Phil Marsh and Phil Jackson for the job they have done at a crucial time for the Club. Their dedication and commitment has been immense.”

Having officially become the Club’s new first team manager, Jon said: “I’m honoured and over the moon to be asked to lead this fantastic Club. It’s a huge Club in a fantastic environment and I’m really looking forward to helping to take us forward.

“You see what the Club entails and what it’s about and its history, it’s an attraction to any manager and player and for me personally, it’s a great honour to be here and to be given the opportunity to come and manage the Club.

“The Club and board’s ambition really matches my own. I want to build on what’s already started here and get the Club into the division that we believe it should be in.”

Jon is joined at Bower Fold by long-time assistant manager Steve Atkinson and both will watch tomorrow night’s game with Clitheroe from the stands with the interim management team of Liam Tongue, Greg Wilkinson, Aaron Chalmers, Phil Marsh and Phil Jackson to oversee the game.

Jon and Steve will then take charge and prepare the team for Saturday’s game at Wythenshawe.