Andrew aims high with Celtic

Stalybridge Celtic secretary Andrew Betts is busy planning for next season, despite not knowing when the 2020/21 campaign will begin.

It might seem strange with football at a standstill, but the 21-year-old is making provisions and working hard in case the season begins on its usual date in August.

Andrew, who also manages Celtic's Women's' Team, feels the Northern Premier League's decision to null and void the season in March was a hasty thing to do, although he appreciates the complexities of the matter and believes the alternatives would leave many clubs disappointed.

However, with Celtic in 12th spot and 11 points outside the playoffs, the decision is almost irrelevant for those concerned at Bower Fold.

Andrew is now looking to the future and is confident that manager Simon Haworth, who was rewarded with a two-year contract extension at the beginning of March, can take the club higher up the pyramid. Speaking to Reporter Sport, Andrew said: "I was disappointed that the season has been cut short because I love football, but there is nothing more important than the health and wellbeing of people and everyone has to understand that. 

"I thought this season was a definite improvement on Simon's first season in charge; we have made steps forward and it was more enjoyable with a very good set of lads.

"Considering our budget, I wouldn't say I was disappointed with 12th but it was frustrating given we were in fifth place on Boxing Day and then dropped to 12th - that's not how we expected it to go. I think the chances of reaching the playoffs had we carried on were slim, but I don't think I am saying this out of turn but to null and void the season completely was probably a hasty thing to do and some teams are going to feel more aggrieved than others, but you probably get that with any decision you make."

Despite his young age, Andrew has taken to the secretarial role during his first season like a duck to water - thanks in no small part to the help from Simon.

The pair have established a strong relationship and Simon has now decided to entrust Andrew with more responsibility next season. He said: "My relationship with Simon is probably as good as it gets in football I reckon,  although I can't prove that because I haven't had much experience, but there aren't many managers out there that I think would be as trusting and take someone under their wing like he has.

"Simon was one of the main reasons I got the role originally. The way he integrated me with the squad was brilliant and we were a tight-knit group. He calls me his director of football, so from next season I'll be helping to take some stuff off his plate. He has the Academy to run as well and is a busy man, so he gets me to help with bringing players to him and Ian, making first contact and things like that. It is something we have a joke about but the more I can get involved and help with on that side of things is great for me.

"I also consider him as a good friend and one that I'll have no matter what happens in football, we speak most days so yeah, I look forward to continuing to work with him."

Simon, a former Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic striker, initially joined Celtic in May 2018 and has since stabilised the club after a few turbulent years, guiding his side to safety on the last day of the 2018/19 season. His efforts were rewarded by chairman Rob Gorksi in March with a two-year contract extension, and his responsibilities will continue to encompass Academy coaching as well. Andrew feels the contract extension was fully deserved and the foundations are now in place for the club to return to the National League North. "Simon is more than deserving I think of the two-year contract " he said. "I think that'll be our most important signing this season; it is a very big job to take on and it was a big ship to turn that was, unfortunately, going in the wrong direction.

"I think he is well on the way to getting us back on the up. You don't see many managers stick around for four years at a club, I think that shows he has taken to the club and I do believe the fans appreciate the job he is doing. Hopefully it's a matter of time before we are achieving again. Simon has made it no secret he is an ambitious manager who would want to manage as high as he could, and to have a successful term at Celtic would be something that would catch the eye."

Simon's lofty ambitions to move up the pyramid are matched by that of Andrew's. He feels he's in a great position to make a name for himself and catch the eye - just like his predecessor Michael Beech, who started his career with Celtic and moved to Championship outfit Burnley, before landing his most recent position at Oldham Athletic. "The ideal situation would be to rise up the leagues with Stalybridge under Simon, and to go full-time. If not that way, and I had the opportunity to continue working with Simon as he got into full-time football one day, I'd probably snap his hand off. So maybe one day I'll work full time in football."

For now, Andrew will continue to work hard and put plans in place for Celtic to progress off the pitch. And he will also be doing his best to boost the appeal of the club's women's team. He added: "It was never my intention to be the manager but with it all happening so quickly, setting it up between myself and Wendy Mackie, we needed to get the ball rolling so I took the first couple of sessions and we just clicked, both parties were happy so I stayed on.  

"We struggled at first and had numbers, but we didn't have a goalkeeper, so you can be a good outfield outfit but you can't just ship goals for fun.

"We lost our first six and although it was demoralising turning up and knowing we would struggle, I knew that there was hope. A goalkeeper joined called Emma Burns who quite frankly was unbelievable, I reckon if she was a bit younger she would honestly be knocking about in the higher leagues of women's football and that isn't just because she is my player. After she joined, I think we won three out of her five league games, drawing one. They have gelled as a team after starting so late. Unfortunately, that league has also been cut short but with a proper pre-season under their belt next season they'll win the league and I'll look back at this interview and say I told you so!".