Season Fixture Feature

In this week's Tameside Reporter and Glossop Chronicle, we look ahead to the new football season and have a fixture and preview pullout on each of our featured clubs.

Here are the fixtures for each side:

Glossop North End - NPL West

The Hillmen will be marching into the NPL West this season under new manager Stuart Mellish.

Mellish was appointed over summer following the departure of Peter Band, who opted to join Macclesfield FC.

Mellish, who has previously managed Warrington Town and Clitheroe, will be hoping to give the Glossop faithful something to cheer about this season as they finally return to the Amdec Forklift Stadium following months away due to Covid-19.

Glossop’s supporters, players and management team will be delighted that the club has been reallocated into the NPL West Division after two seasons in the South West Division. As well as a signifanct reduction in miles to away grounds, the Hillmen will also reignite something of a local clash with Mossley.

Off the pitch, the Amdec Forklift Stadium is set to be improved, as plans to extend the covered area on the Surrey Street side have been announced.

On the pitch, Mellish has retained a number of popular players before his arrival at the club, including Lee Wilshaw, Mark Haslam, Bevan Burey and Will Hartshorne.

Defender Adam Owen is a new face, having joined from Macclesfield. You can follow Glossop on Twitter @GlossopNorthEnd.

AUGUST

Saturday 14 – Kendal Town (A)

Tuesday 17 – Runcorn Linnets (H)

Tuesday 24 – City of Liverpool (A)

Saturday 28 – Clitheroe (H)

Monday 30 – Trafford (A)

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 7 – Marine (A)

Saturday 11 – Widnes (H)

Tuesday 14 – Leek Town (H)

Saturday 18 – Ramsbottom United (A)

Saturday 25 – Colne (A)

OCTOBER

Saturday 2 – Workington (H)

Saturday 16 – Market Drayton Town (A)

Saturday 23 – Warrington Rylands (H)

NOVEMBER

Saturday 6 – Bootle (A)

Saturday 13 – 1874 Northwich (H)

Saturday 20 – Prescot Cables (A)

Saturday 27 – Newcastle Town (H)

DECEMBER

Saturday 4 – Kidsgrove Athletic (H)

Saturday 11 – Runcorn Linnets (A)

Saturday 18 – Kendal Town (H)

Monday 27 – Mossley (A)

JANUARY

Saturday 1 – Trafford (H)

Saturday 8 – Workington (A)

Saturday 15 – Colne (H)

Saturday 22 – Market Drayton Town (H)

Saturday 29 – Warrington Ryalnds (A)

FEBURARY

Saturday 5 – Bootle (H)

Tuesday 8 – 1874 Northwich (A)

Saturday 19 – Leek Town (A)

Saturday 26 – Ramsbottom United (H)

MARCH

Saturday 12 – Widnes (A)

Saturday 19 – Marine (H)

Saturday 26 – Newcastle Town (A)

APRIL

Saturday 2 – Prescot Cables (H)

Saturday 9 – City of Liverpool (H)

Saturday 16 – Clitheroe (A)

Monday 18 – Mossley (H)

Saturday 23 – Kidsgrove Athletic (A)

Curzon Ashton - National League North 

It’s all change at the Tameside Stadium this season, with Steve Cunningham building a side in his own image to give the Nash the best chance of succeeding in the National League North.

Curzon are entering their sixth consecutive season at this level, and whilst they were once regarded as the underdogs in the division, they are no longer considered guests at the dining table. Cunningham will be hoping that his new recruits can etch their names into the history books by improving on the club’s best ever finish of 11th under John Flanagan in 2016.

In terms of the squad, former goalkeeper Cameron Mason, who was the club’s longest serving player before his departure to Southport over summer, has been replaced by former Witton Albion shot stopper Chris Renshaw. Cunningham also secured the services of Luke Daly, who joins the club having spent the past few seasons at South Shields. The former Burnley and Manchester United youngster, who also spent time with Droylsden, is arguably Curzon’s most notable signing. The creative midfielder will prove invaluable to Curzon’s chances of success.

You can follow Curzon on Twitter @CurzonAshton.

August

Saturday 14 – Chester (A)

Saturday 21 – Guiseley (H)

Saturday 28 – Boston United (A)

Monday 30 – Darlington (H)

September

Saturday 4 – Leamington (A)

Saturday 11 – Gloucester City (A)

Saturday 25 – Bradford (Park Ave) (H)

October

Saturday 9 – Farsley Celtic (A)

Saturday 16 – Kidderminster Har (H)

Saturday 23 – Spennymoor Town (A)

Tuesday 26 – Gateshead (H)

Saturday 30 – AFC Telford United (A)

November

Saturday 6 – AFC Fylde (H)

Saturday 13 – York City (H)

Saturday 20 – Brackley Town (A)

December

Saturday 4 – Alfreton Town (H)

Saturday 11 – Hereford (A)

Sunday 26 – Southport (H)

Tuesday 28 – Chorley (A)

January

Sunday 2 – Southport (A)

Saturday 8 – Blyth Spartans (H)

Saturday 15 – Kettering Town (A)

Saturday 22 – Chester (H)

Saturday 29 – AFC Fylde (A)

February

Saturday 5 – AFC Telford United (H)

Saturday 12 – York City (A)

Saturday 19 – Brackley Town (H)

Tuesday 22 – Hereford (H)

Saturday 26 – Alfreton Town (A)

March

Saturday 5 – Gloucester City (H)

Saturday 12 – Bradford (Park Ave) (A)

Saturday 19 – Farsley Celtic (H)

Tuesday 22 – Gateshead (A)

Saturday 26 – Kidderminster Harr (A)

April

Saturday 2 – Spennymoor Town (H)

Saturday 9 – Boston United (H)

Friday 15 – Darlington (A)

Monday 18 – Chorley (H)

Saturday 23 – Guiseley (A)

Saturday 30 – Leamington (H)

May

Monday 2 – Blyth Spartans (A)

Saturday 7 – Kettering Town (H)

Ashton United - NPL Premier

Ashton United manager Michael Clegg will be hoping to finally see out a full season after taking the reins at Hurst Cross in November 2019 from Atherton Collieries. It’s been a frustrating 21 months in charge for Clegg, with the past two seasons null and voided due to the pandemic.

However, with the vaccination programme being rolled out and life returning to some kind of normality, there is a real sense of excitement amongst supporters ahead of the new season, which starts with a home clash against Matlock Town on Saturday 14 August. The game will mark the return of former Ashton boss Paul Phillips, whose Gladiators outfit, like Ashton, are being tipped to be pushing at the top end of the table.

It’s no secret that the Robins have big ambitions to move up the non-league pyramid, with joint-owners David Burke and Jonathan Sayer investing heavily into all aspects of the club. As well as providing Clegg with a competitive budget to sign a string of notable players, Ashton’s owners have also spruced up Hurst Cross by redeveloping the social club, replacing the old seats in the main stand and installing permitter fencing around the pitch.

You can follow the club on Twitter @AshtonUnitedFC.

August

Saturday 14 – Matlock Town (H)

Tuesday 17 – Scarborough (A)

Saturday 21 – Mickleover Sports (A)

Tuesday 24 – Whitby Town (H)

Saturday 28 – Stafford Rangers (H)

Monday 30 – Stalybridge Celtic (A)

September

Tuesday 7 – South Shields (A)

Saturday 11 – Buxton (H)

Tuesday 14 – Grantham Town (H)

Saturday 25 – Lancaster City (A)

Tuesday 28 – Atherton Collieries (A)

October

Saturday 2 – Radcliffe (H)

Tuesday 5 – Warrington Town (H)

Saturday 9 – Gainsborough Trinity (A)

Tuesday 12 – Witton Albion (A)

Saturday 16 – Nantwich Town (H)

Saturday 23 – Bamber Bridge (A)

November

Saturday 6 – Basford United (H)

Saturday 20 – Hyde United (A)

Saturday 27 – Morpeth Town (H)

December

Saturday 4 – South Shields (H)

Saturday 11 -Buxton (A)

Saturday 18 – Mickleover Sports (H)

Monday 27 – FC United (A)

January

Saturday 1 – Stalybridge Celtic (H)

Saturday 8 – Matlock Town (A)

Saturday 15 – Grantham Town (A)

Saturday 22 – Lancaster City (H)

Saturday 29 – Nantwich Town (A)

February

Saturday 5 – Bamber Bridge (H)

Tuesday 8 – Witton Albion (H)

Saturday 12 – Basford United (A)

Saturday 19 – Atherton Collieries (H)

Saturday 26 – Radcliffe (A)

March

Saturday 12 – Gainsborough Trinity (H)

Saturday 19 – Warrington Town (A)

Saturday 26 – Morpeth Town (A)

April

Saturday 2 – Hyde United (H)

Saturday 9 – Scarborough (H)

Saturday 16 – Whitby Town (A)

Tuesday 18 – FC United (H)

Saturday 23 – Stafford Rangers (A)

Hyde United - NPL Premier

Will the Tigers roar to success this season? You’d be hard pushed not to think so given the quality of the squad at Ewen Fields.

Manager Dave McGurk, who took control of the first-team squad in the summer of 2019, has overseen a promising pre-season schedule, with impressive results against St Martins FC, in which the Tigers won 12-0, as well as a 4-0 win at Glossop North End and a 2-0 victory against National League outfit Grimsby Town.

Despite their struggles in the past, which included three consecutive relegations, Hyde have since stabilised and enjoyed forms of success, with an FA Cup run to the first round, combined with a promotion to step three, the highlights over the past few years.

Now that the club’s pride has been restored, McGurk has the opportunity to spearhead a promotion push and potentially return the club to the National League North.

A key player to look out for this season is striker Tom Pratt, who penned a new deal over the summer. Pratt joined from Trafford in 2017 and has since scored 42 goals in 127 appearances.

Liam Hardy, a prolific goalscorer at this level, has also re-signed.

You can follow Hyde on Twitter @hydeunited.

AUGUST

Saturday 14 – Atherton Collieries (H)

Tuesday 17 – Bamber Bridge (A)

Saturday 21 – Matlock Town (A)

Tuesday 24 – Grantham Town (H)

Saturday 28 – FC United (H)

Monday 30 – Mickloever (A)

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 7 – Nantwich Town A

Saturday 11 – South Shields (H)

Tuesday 14 – Stafford Rangers (H)

Saturday 25 – Whitby Town (A)

Tuesday 28 – Morpeth Town (H)

OCTOBER

Saturday 2 – Basford United (A)

Tuesday 5 – Witton Albion (A)

Saturday 9 – Lancaster City (H)

Tuesday 12 – Radcliffe (H)

Saturday 16 – Buxton (A)

Saturday 23 – Scarborough Ath (H)

NOVEMBER

Saturday 6 – Warrington Town (A)

Saturday 20 – Ashton United (H)

Saturday 27 – Gainsborough Trinity (A)

DECEMBER

Saturday 4 – Nantwich Town (H)

Saturday 11 – South Shields (A)

Saturday 18 – Matlock Town (H)

Monday 27 – Stalybridge Celtic (A)

JANUARY

Saturday 1 – Mickleover (H)

Saturday 8 – Atherton Collieries (A)

Saturday 15 – Stafford Rangers (A)

Saturday 22 – Whitby Town (H)

Saturday 29 – Buxton (H)

FEBRUARY

Saturday 5 – Scarborough Athletic (A)

Tuesday 8 – Radcliffe (A)

Saturday 12 – Warrington Town (H)

Saturday 19 – Morpeth Town (A)

Saturday 26 – Basford United (H)

MARCH

Saturday 12 – Lancaster City (A)

Saturday 19 – Witton Albion (H)

Saturday 26 – Gainsborough Trinity (H)

APRIL

Saturday 2 – Ashton United (A)

Saturday 9 – Bamber Bridge (H)

Saturday 16 – Grantham Town (A)

Monday 18 – Stalybridge Celtic (H)

Saturday 23 – FC United (A)

Stalybridge Celtic - NPL Premier

Stalybridge Celtic manager Simon Haworth is entering his fourth season in charge of the club.

Although the past two seasons have been null and voided, Haworth has brought some much-needed stability to Bower Fold and will be hoping to kick on and potentially stage a promotion push this season.

The former Tranmere Rovers, Wigan Athletic and Cardiff City striker, who also takes charge of the Academy, will be quietly confident of succeeding this season after signing a string of influential players.

Striker Scott Bakkor has returned to the club for a second spell after  spending time with Witton Albion, and he will be supported by Jack Ryan, who has returned to the club having spent a period on loan from Preston North End in 2014. Ryan has also played for Workington, Guiseley and Tamworth.   

Grant Shenton, regarded as one of the best goalkeepers at this level, has also joined the ranks on a permanent basis having previously played for Chester and Buxton amongst others, whilst defender Stephen O’Halloran, who joined in 2019, has re-signed in a player/coach capacity.

Celtic fans will be looking forward to a home clash against local rivals Hyde United on Monday 27 December.

You can follow Celtic on Twitter @Stalycelticfc.

August

Saturday 14 – Nantwich Town (A)

Tuesday 17 – South Shields (H)

Saturday 21 – Morpeth Town (H)

Tuesday 24 – Lancaster City (A)

Saturday 28 – Buxton (A)

Monday 30 – Ashton United (H)

September

Tuesday 7 – Basford United (H)

Saturday 11 – Matlock Town (A)

Tuesday 14 – Scarborough (A)

Saturday 25 – FC United (H)

Tuesday 28 – Whitby Town (A)

October

Saturday 2 – Salford Rangers (H)

Tuesday 5 – Grantham Town (H)

Saturday 9 – Warrington Town (A)

Tuesday 12 – Gainsborough Trinity (A)

Saturday 16 – Bamber Bridge (H)

Saturday 23 – Mickleover Sports (A)

November

Saturday 6 – Witton Albion (H)

Saturday 20 – Radcliffe (A)

Saturday 27 – Atherton Collieries (H)

December

Saturday 4 – Basford United (A)

Saturday 11 – Matlock Town (H)

Saturday 18 – Morpeth Town (A)

Monday 27 – Hyde United (H)

January

Saturday 1 – Ashton United (A)

Saturday 8 – Nantwich Town (H)

Saturday 15 – Scarborough (H)

Saturday 22 – FC United  (A)

Saturday 29 – Bamber Bridge (A)

February

Saturday 5 – Mickleover Sports (H)

Tuesday 8 – Gainsborough Trinity (H)

Saturday 12 – Witton Albion (A)

Saturday 19 – Whitby Town (H)

Saturday 26 – Stafford Rangers (A)

March

Saturday 12 – Warrington Town (H)

Saturday 19 – Grantham Town (A)

Saturday 26 – Atherton Collieries (A)

April

Saturday 2 – Radcliffe (H)

Saturday 9 – South Shields (A)

Saturday 16 – Lancaster City (H)

Monday 18 – Hyde United (A)

Saturday 23 – Buxton (H)

Mossley - NPL West

Upon being announced as the Lilywhites’ manager in June 2020, David Fish was eager to make his mark at Seel Park and help the club become a force in step four of the non-league pyramid.

However, the nature of Covid-19 denied Fish the chance of really implementing what he hoped to achieve as the season was curtailed in February.

The former Chadderton boss, who guided the club to a Manchester Premier Cup semi-final, will be excited to get going with a blend of experienced and youthful players.

  Arguably, Fish’s best signing over summer comes in the form of striker Mason Fawnes, who impressed during his time with Ramsbottom United last season.

Experienced defender Ben Richardson has also committed to another term with the Lilywhites, as has midfielder Kane Hickman, who put in a number of impressive displays last season.

The club’s most recent signings include attacking midfielder David Kuba Kuba. The 26-year-old has signed after returning from four years playing in the Swedish League for Ange IF, IFK Östersund, Ytterhogdals IK and most recently Bodens BK. Versatile left-sided player Bailey Marsden, 18, has joined the club following his release from Crewe Alexandra.

You can follow Mossley on Twitter @MossleyAFC.

AUGUST

Saturday 14 – Bootle (H)

Tuesday 17 – Colne (A)

Tuesday 24 – Leek Town (H)

Saturday 28 – Widnes (A)

Monday 30 – Ramsbottom United (H)

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 7 – Newcastle Town (A)

Saturday 11 – Kendal Town (H)

Tuesday 14 – Trafford (H)

Saturday 18 – Runcorn Linnets (A)

Saturday 25 – Market Drayton Town (A)

OCTOBER

Saturday 2 – Warrington Rylands (H)

Saturday 16 – Clitheroe (H)

Saturday 23 – Kidsgrove Athletic (A)

NOVEMBER

Saturday. 6 – Workington (H)

Saturday 13 – Prescot Cables (A)

Saturday 20 – City of Liverpool (H)

Saturday 27 – Marine (A)

DECEMBER

Saturday 4 – 1874 Northwich (A)

Saturday 11 – Colne (H)

Saturday 18 – Bootle (A)

Monday 27 – Glossop North End (H)

JANUARY

Saturday 1 – Ramsbottom United (A)

Saturday 8 – Warrington Rylands (A)

Saturday 15 – Market Drayton Town (H)

Saturday 22 – Clitheroe (A)

Saturday 29 – Kidsgrove Athletic (H)

FEBURARY

Saturday 5 – Workington (A)

Tuesday 8 – Prescot Cables (H)

Saturday 19 – Trafford (A)

Saturday 26 – Runcorn Linnets (H)

MARCH

Saturday 12 – Kendal Town (A)

Saturday 19 – Newcastle Town (H)

Saturday 26 – Marine (H)

APRIL

Saturday 2 – City of Liverpool (A)

Saturday 9 – Leek Town (A)

Saturday 16 – Widnes (H)

Monday 18 – Glossop North End (A)

Saturday 23 – 1874 Northwich (H)