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Barnet V Stalybridge Celtic
Nationwide Conference
Saturday 9 February 3.00pm

Updated 05/02/02
Updated 08/02/02

Stalybridge have not had the best of starts in their first season back in the Conference after a six year absence. Currently lying 20th they have only won six games with a mere two of those away. With three draws and only eight goals scored, they've let in twenty-one on their travels.

Stalybridge's last league game was a 2-1 victory over Boston United at home, but away they have lost their last three with only a 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in their last six (away) games.

Their Trophy game on Saturday, away to Mangotsfield of the Dr Martens Western, was postponed.

Earlier in the season we were held to a 1-1 draw up at Bower Fold with Wayne Purser getting the goal. Hopefully he'll make a start on Saturday as he's our only striker to score in our last seven games!

This game must surely bring three points Barnets way, it would be a miracle (I'm not sure if that's the right word - Ed) if we lost to clubs who at the time of playing were bottom (Scarborough 0-3), second from bottom (Chester 0-1) and now Stalybridge third from bottom, in three consecutive league games.

They have just completed the signing of striker Adie Mike from Conference rivals Northwich Victoria.

Mike, 28, who arrives at Bower Fold on a free transfer, started his career with Manchester City where he won England Schoolboy and Youth international honours.

He couldn't quite live up expectations, however, and subsequently had spells with Bury, Stockport, Hartlepool and Doncaster Rovers before moving into the Conference with Hednesford Town, Southport and then Northwich.

Updated 05/02/02

Stalybridge Celtic's survival fight has been boosted by Sammy Ayorinde's decision to stay at Bower Field.

The former Leyton Orient striker was wanted by Conference rivals Nuneaton Borough, who had put in seven days' notice for the 27-year-old.

However, Ayorinde rejected the move and has signed a contract which will keep him with Celtic until at least the end of the season.

Celtic's manager Paul Futcher has further strengthened his striking resources by completing the signing of former Manchester City and Stockport frontman Adie Mike from Northwich Victoria on a free transfer.

Club captain Matty Woods is also available to Futcher again, having recovered from a hamstring injury.

But the manager's son Ben, is sidelined with an ankle problem as Futcher looks for the seven further wins he needs to secure Conference safety.

Update from the BBC, also click here for quite a good summary of Celtic's season so far (apart from the above, of course ;-)

Updated 08/02/02

Stalybridge will be without the suspended Steve Pickford. Leigh Walker is available after being cup-tied for the FA Umbro Trophy win against Mangotsfield while Adie Mike is hoping to overcome a calf injury. Matty Woods is out with a hamstring injury.

John Still has no fresh injury concerns for the clash against Stalybridge at Underhill. After our FA Umbro Trophy exit against Scarborough in midweek, Still is hoping the Bees can bounce back in positive fashion. He said: "We've got a run of games coming up which we need to try and win as we want to get on a run again."

Please note - there will be a charity collection during the game in aid of Princes Park Youth Football Club, located in Cool Oak Lane Hendon. Their club house was burned down after a recent burglary and arson attack. Barnet FC's Female Junior section play there. Please click here for the full story.

Last Six

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Below is Barnet and Stalybridges' league details based on their Home and Away performances. This table has only predicted the correct result 3/11 times (as in, the higher team wins). Let's hope it will be 4/12 times next week!

Manager, Herbert Chapman, who is credited with making Arsenal a top team in the thirties - and getting London Underground to rename Gillespie Road to Arsenal - once played for Stalybridge Rovers. The history below does not mention that Celtic ever went by the name of Rovers, but it's the best I can do. I don't think this section is going to last much longer... Oh, and he wore yellow boots (yawn, boring, boring Arsenal ;-)

History

Stalybridge were founded in 1909, although a team named Celtic played friendlies from 1906.

They played in the Lancashire and Cheshire League for two seasons, then turned professional and played in the Lancashire Combination before moving to the Central League.

Due to bureaucracy they had to play in the Southern League until the 1st World War.

In the 1921/22 season they rejoined the Central League and won it, Celtic became founder members of Division Three (North).

After two seasons it was decided they couldn't afford league status and were the first club to remove themselves from the Football League.

Back in the Cheshire League they had a sixty year run before the formation of the Bass NW Counties League.

During the eighties they won the Championship several times and also came runners-up in the Northern Premier League.

With the ground meeting league standards and winning the NPL, 1992/93 saw them enter the Vauxhall Conference. After some poor finishes relegation came in 97/98 and saw Celtic back in the NPL.

They won the NPLeague Cup in 1999 and the League in 2000/01 back to the Conference for another go this season.

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