A tribute to Peter Wragg by Mike Brierley

Stalybridge Celtic is saddened to learn that former manager Peter Wragg passed away on Christmas Day. 

Peter Wragg had three spells as manager of Stalybridge Celtic.  The highlights of his time at Bower Fold including winning the Cheshire County League title in 1979/1980 and a saving from certain relegation during 1993/1994 but more than that though, he will be remembered as a man who always put the interests of the Club first and foremost.

Wraggy’s playing days included stints at New Mills and Leek Town, where he was well regarded, before a broken leg effectively ended his career. Moving into management, he occupied the hot seat at Leek and Chorley before arriving at Bower Fold. Under his stewardship, the Cheshire County League was won in the 1979/1980 season, after years in the wilderness. He subsequently went on to manage Hyde United, had great success at Macclesfield Town and then ended up at Halifax Town.

Arguably, Peter’s greatest success as a manager came when he returned in the 1993/1994 campaign. Celtic started the season with a poor run of results right from the outset and despite equalling a best ever FA Cup performance in the modern era, things quickly became marooned to the foot of the table with little or no prospects for survival. In came Wraggy! Whether the quote came from the man himself, or a club member, has been lost in the midsts of time but it was definitely said that ‘not even snookers could have saved the situation’

Nothing short of inspired championship form was produced. 28 out of the last 36 points on offer were taken which included a memorable thrashing of Dagenham & Redbridge on a Sunday morning and the great escape was completed. The following two years, under his leadership, were more those of consolidation, overseeing a time which saw Celtic play in a first ever live televised match, the sad death of Alan Nicholls and in what some say was the finest ever performance in the Football Conference years, a demolition of Kettering Town on their own patch. Notably though, Peter was the manager who signed a player that was to become an instant crowd favourite and synonymous with all teams of this era, Brendan Burke.

During this time, a lot of work continued off pitch to keep the Club operating at as high and viable a level as possible. This included the construction of a stand behind the bottom goal, a brand spanking new main stand complete with hospitality facilities and a social club which opened on numerous nights of the week. Peter was definitely an advocate of this and could often be found in the bar the night before a lengthy away coach trip with his favourite tipple, a Guinness, in hand and in trademark, John Motson-esque, beige overcoat.

An indifferent start to 1996/1997 saw Wraggy decide to stand down as manager, after a home game against Woking. Although some viewed this as rather premature, it being taken after only a few matches and given those previous exploits, the man himself knew that he had done it for the right reasons and for the Club, to give them the best chance of progress.

There was a brief return in 2004/2005, now in the Football Conference North following the departure of Dave Miller and once again facing imminent certain relegation, yet this time then the former saviour could not work his magic and he shut the door of the dressing room, after a game at Vauxhall and trudged away for one last time. Again, he had put the best intentions first and foremost here, not for himself but for the betterment of Stalybridge Celtic.

In later life, he would still be a regular visitor to games at Bower Fold. Always with that same cheeky smile and word for everyone who knew him, which had initially made him so popular.  When word of his passing came through, the outpouring of affection from former Clubs and contemporaries was fully justified.

Phil Wilson said ‘A real non league football man, they don’t make them like Wraggy anymore. So sorry to hear of his passing’ whilst Steve Burr described him to local football historian Mike Pavasovic as ‘a fabulous guy and a great man manager. He trusted his players, knew their strengths and was able to get average footballers to perform above their ability. He was a real character who gave me memories that will live forever.  I loved every minute of my time playing for him’ 

RIP Peter Wragg, a Stalybridge Celtic legend.

With thanks to Mike Pavasovic (Pav’s Patch)