Dave Jones has been appointed manager of Stalybridge Celtic at the age of 27, becoming one of the youngest managers in Non-League football. Jones takes over at Bower Fold following the departure of Jon Macken, who was relieved of his duties two weeks ago after the club struggled to move up from 17th place in the Northern Premier League West division during his nearly two-year tenure.

Jones joins Stalybridge Celtic after a successful three-and-a-half-year spell with Atherton Laburnum Rovers. He initially took charge of Atherton LR in May 2023 at just 23 years old. During his time there, he led the club to a second-place finish in the North West Counties League Division One North in his first season, followed by a league title the next year. Under his management, Atherton also won the Edward Case Cup and the Champions Cup, achieving the first treble in the club’s history. Jones finished his stint with an impressive win rate of just over 63%.

Upon his appointment, Jones expressed pride and humility about the opportunity, emphasizing his awareness of Stalybridge Celtic’s history and expectations. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but stressed his commitment to working tirelessly alongside his staff to improve the club’s standing and provide supporters with positive experiences.

Jones stated, “I’m incredibly proud and honoured to be given the opportunity to manage Stalybridge Celtic Football Club. I fully understand the size, history and expectations of this football club, and I’m determined to give absolutely everything to help move us forward. There’s a lot of hard work ahead, but myself and my staff will be doing everything we possibly can to get this club climbing the table and to give the supporters good times. I’m excited to get started and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

His appointment represents a notable step up in his managerial career as he takes on the challenge of revitalizing Stalybridge Celtic’s fortunes in the competitive landscape of the Northern Premier League.