DYNAMIC DUO OPEN NEW ERA AT CELTIC
BUSINESSMAN Nigel Jones and Paul Bowden have been outlining their vision for the future of Stalybridge Celtic after buying Rob Gorki’s majority shareholding of the Lancashire club.
The pair, key players in the financial services industry, have set the goal for Celtic to regain the National League North status they relinquished in 2017.
“I should imagine the first season will be a discovery phase, but ultimately we will be looking for two promotions in a relatively short time,” explained Jones who will have a hands-on role in the day-to-day running of the club.
“We want success on the pitch but are realistic and not saying we are going to be another Wrexham or Salford.
“We also need to get the facilities right to improve the matchday experience as we need fans to survive and thrive.”
Two days after they took the reins, Jones and Bowden appointed former Wythenshawe Town boss James Kinsey as manager to set about helping the club regain former glories.
Celtic were last season relegation from Northern Premier League, Premier and will be playing at Step 4 in 2023/24 – the lowest they have been in the pyramid’s current form.
Jones, 50, managing director of a financial services company, had previously been a director and shareholder at Wythenshawe Town and identified Kinsey as the man to bring success on the pitch.
Jones described it as a “whirlwind romance” after making a late bid to buy the club with the deal concluded in about six weeks.
“It is slightly surreal to own football club, but an exciting time and new challenge, one I am looking forward to,” he continued.
Gorski, who had put the club up for sale last October due to health issues, had been in advanced talks with another party.
Jones explained: “When I realised Stalybridge Celtic was up for sale, I had the funds along with my business partner Paul. We made an offer to Rob but were aware there were competing offers. I knew we were behind, but we came up late and timed our run and agreed terms.
“We exchanged contracts and funds. It all happened very quickly and has been a whirlwind romance. It just felt the right move at the right time.”
Opportunity
Jones would not divulge exactly how much he and Bowden have paid for Gorski’s shares, but admitted it was a substantial six-figure sum.
“It is a sizeable investment, but it was an opportunity which came along and myself and Paul, who have various investments together, made a judgement call,” he added.
“We both work in financial services and understand risk and reward. It is not about turning in a profit and realise this is Non-League football.
“At the moment we are in the discovery phase and let’s assess what we have, a fantastic stadium which needs some TLC.
“In season one, we will be looking for success on the pitch and every spare cent will be directed towards that.”
Gorski had been exploring plans for an artificial pitch to increase revenue streams and redevelop behind one goal. “Most NonLeague clubs are looking to put down a 4G pitch. While grants from the Football Foundation are available, you still need time, effort and capital to drive it forward,” Jones revealed.
Jones, inset, has followed Non-League football since he was young supporting hometown club Colwyn Bay who made it as high as National League North before joining the Welsh pyramid.
“I have always been a fan and was bitten further by the bug when I was at Wythenshawe Town,” he said.
Similarly, Bristol-based Bowden, Cornish by birth, has follows Plymouth Argyle, Clevedon Town and Bristol Rova
ers. He is also passionate about cricket, a life member of the MCC as well as following the Gloucestershire and England.
He and Jones also own racehorses, notably they co-own Lucander which won two races in the Middle East this winter including the Prince of Bahrain Cup.
He has spent almost 35 years as an actuary in pensions and previously been managing director of his own company which merged with Jones’ business in 2019.
“It seems slightly mad, but exciting. I didn’t expect to be in this position two months ago,” he said.
“We had to make quick decisions and not many football clubs would have tempted me, but Celtic were positioned well for a fresh buyer, and I see the only way up for the club.”
Exciting times
The new owners represent the end of the Gorski era at Bower Fold, which started back in 2001-02 with the club in dire financial straits, just as it was about to be relegated after one season in Non-League’s topflight.
The club owed hundreds of thousands of pounds with Gorski admitting it was teetering on the brink of administration.
Gorski, who became majority shareholder in 2005, revealed he turned down a higher cash offer for the club, instead insisting Jones and Bowden are the right men to take the club forward, described the duo as “serious players in the business world” .
“I sincerely believe that they have what it will takes to drive our club forward. They are successful, intelligent businessmen. However, they are also sporting people and I believe that there are exciting times ahead for the club and its fans,” said Gorski.
“I have taken a personal financial hit to sell to them at a lower figure. If I was just in it for Rob Gorski, I would have taken a higher sum and ridden off into the sunset.
“I want the club to be a force again and these two are best equipped to take the club forward.”