Jon Macken appointed Stalybridge Celtic manager

Macken takes over from James Kinsey, who left the club earlier this month after less than 18 months in charge.

Kinsey led the club to fourth place in the NPL West Division, and they have picked up a win and loss in the two games since his departure.

Macken arrives at Bower Fold after most recently enjoying two successful seasons at Witton Albion before parting ways with the club over the summer.

The 47-year-old also achieved promotion from the NPL West Division with Radcliffe.

As a player, Macken made 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.

“I’m honoured and over the moon to be asked to lead this fantastic club," he said.

"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.”

Macken will be joined at Stalybridge by his long-time assistant Steve Atkinson.

The pair will watch Tuesday night's game against Clitheroe from the stands, before officially taking charge of first team affairs ahead of Saturday's trip to Wythenshawe.

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.

"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."

Photo credit: Stalybridge Celtic