Stalybridge Celtic's rebuild is well underway

Stalybridge Celtic manager James Kinsey has begun rebuilding his squad after a disappointing end to the 2023/24 season. 

In contention for most of the campaign, Celtic fell away in the final two months, leading the former Wythenshawe Town boss into a deep clean of personnel. 

He has tempted Guiseley captain Liam Tongue back to Bower Fold after an injury-hit year, spearheading a new look midfield that will also include ex-Mossley man Jack Banister. 

"Liam is a fantastic coup for us,” Kinsey told Stalybridge’s club website.  

“I work with him on a daily basis and have got to really know him as a lad. There aren’t many better around and I have no doubt he will bring great standards to our group. 

“Jack is a player we have tried to sign previously. He is direct and loves to get at his man which will get fans off their seat.”  

Aaron Chalmers returns to the club, too, after previously making 89 appearances between 2015 and 2017. 

He spent the past two seasons as a fan’s favourite at Prestwich Heys in the North West Counties League. 

As well as Tongue and Chalmers, Kinsey has further added to the ex-Hyde United contingent at Stalybridge with the arrival of Connor Hughes, Kyle Brownhill and Sean Tse.  

Left-back Brownhill made almost 200 appearances for the Tigers, before spending the past two seasons at Lancaster City. 

Speedy forward Hughes, meanwhile, rejoins from fellow NPL Division One West side Witton Albion, who he was top scorer for last term with 15 goals.  

In his previous spell at Bower Fold in the 2017/18 season, he weighed in with 19 assists and 5 goals from 31 games. 

Kinsey says, "He has the ability to play in a number of positions. In recent years there has been one thing associated with him, he scores goals.” 

Salford-born Tse is a product of the Manchester City Academy but has spent most of his career playing in Hong Kong, who he has captained at international level, and was in their squad for the 2023 Asian Cup. 

He comes to Celtic after a stop-start season with Hyde and Radcliffe.  

It isn’t all new faces at Bower Fold, though.  

Max Leonard has committed to the club for a second campaign, a decision he called a “no brainer” after winning Stalybridge’s Players’ Player and Manager’s Player of the Year awards. 

Versatile defender Jack Tinning, an FA Vase and double promotion winner with Warrington Rylands, will also stay at Bower Fold for 2024/25. 

The latest graduate from Celtic’s youth system, Prince Anuniru, will look to build on a stellar season for the club’s under-21s, with whom he won a league and cup double and scooped their Player of the Year prize.  

He made his first team debut on the final day of last season, teeing up Darius Osei for the opening goal in a 2-1 win against Kidsgrove Athletic. 

Stalybridge have seven pre-season games, including home matches against FC United and Hyde United, before their league campaign kicks off on August 10.