KINSEY IS REUNITED WITH CHIEF

NEW manager James Kinsey believes Stalybridge Celtic have struck gold with new joint majority shareholder Nigel Jones.

The pair are reunited having worked together at North West Counties League side Wythenshawe Town where Kinsey was manager and Jones a director.

“I had a great relationship with Nigel and, regardless of how I do, he will get the club to where he wants it to be,” Kinsey, 31, said.

“Nigel is a clever man and somebody who is relatable. He will mix with the supporters and you will find he is just as passionate as they are. He will be brilliant for the club.”

Kinsey quit Wythenshawe after five years in charge to seek as new challenge – and within days he was approached by Jones who had identified him as the person to kick off the new era at Bower Fold. “I decided to leave Town as I felt it was time for a change after five years, a long time in management today,” Kinsey added.

“I received a call last Friday from Nigel asking if I was interested, had discussions with him on Saturday and it was finalised that quickly.”

Kinsey, who works as a contracts co-ordinator with a facilities management company, is no stranger to Celtic as he had a short spell coaching at the academy which at the time was run by Alan Keeling. He also did some scouting when Paul Phillips was first-team manager.

After a playing career, which centre-half Kinsey described as “non-existent” he began coaching aged 21 adding he was quickly bitten by the bug. Kinsey began coaching in the academy at Oldham Athletic and later took charge of the Manchester County FA U18s before landing his first managerial role as manager at East Manchester.

He was appointed Wythenshawe Town manager in March 2018 when they were eighth in the Cheshire Premier League and led them from Step 7 to Step 5 and then back-to-back third-place finishes in the North West Counties League Premier. Kinsey’s side scored 125 goals last season, has promised Celtic fans an entertaining brand of football.

“It is important to play the ball forward quickly, though we are not direct. You won’t find our centre halves playing the ball out from the back which they are not comfortable doing,” he said.

“We work within our means and play fast, aggressive, on the front foot and score goals.”