Stalybridge Celtic Football Club can confirm that Nigel Jones and Paul Bowden have acquired a majority shareholding in Stalybridge Celtic Football Club Limited.

The acquisition will see Nigel Jones and Paul Bowden become the club’s joint majority shareholders, after agreeing a deal to purchase Rob Gorski’s shares in the football club.

Nigel who lives in Greater Manchester is currently operational head of a UK based financial services company.

He is a keen football fan and has spent time as a director and shareholder at Wythenshawe Town Football Club, supporting the South Manchester side through their rise to becoming one of the top teams in the North West Counties Premier Division.

He is joined as majority shareholder by Paul who also works alongside Nigel in financial services. Paul has spent nearly 35 years working as an actuary in pensions and was previously managing director of his own company in the same sector.

Paul is a nomadic football fan having followed Plymouth Argyle, Clevedon Town, and Bristol Rovers. He is also passionate about all sports, but primarily cricket (Gloucestershire, and England on overseas tours) and horse racing.

Nigel and Paul have been involved in several businesses together and share other joint interests. Most notably, they are co-owners of Lucander, a British trained racing horse who recently won two races in Bahrain this winter including winning the Prince of Bahrain Cup. 

Commenting on the deal, Nigel said: “It feels very exciting! We can’t wait to meet everybody and we’re really looking forward to taking the club forward.

“For me it was an easy decision. Paul and I have other investments together, we’re both sporting fans and I am fully aware of Stalybridge Celtic and how much potential this club has.

“We want the fans to be involved with the club and for them to have a club they can feel part of and proud of.”

Paul added: “In recent years I’ve fallen out of love with premier league football.  The top of the sport is everything, whereas the grassroots is always an afterthought. I’m relishing the opportunity to get involved with Stalybridge and its fans to both reinvigorate the club and my own football passion."

Outgoing majority shareholder Rob Gorski said: “I would like to officially welcome Nigel and Paul to the club.

“I sincerely believe that they have what it will take 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. 

“I would like to thank every single person that I have worked with over the past two decades; paid or volunteer. I have memories that I will cherish forever. Our club has some truly exceptional volunteers who ought to feel proud of their contribution to the club over the years and I trust that they will enjoy the ride with Nigel and Paul.

“Onwards and upwards…”

Further details will be shared in the coming days.

The club will be holding a fans forum as soon as possible for the fans to meet our new majority shareholders. A date will be set imminently.

For all media enquiries, please contact Taran Dhamrait via taran@stalybridgeceltic.co.uk.

Pictured: Joint majority shareholder Nigel Jones.