Published at 11:08, Thursday, 14 June 2012

CLEATOR Moor Celtic finished the season on a high but as the days passed after that 3-nil win news broke that the club had given permission for manager Matt Henney to speak to northern league side, Penrith.

Matt Henney: Turned down Penrith option

Press officer Herbert Briggs said it was a nervy few days as no one wanted Matt to leave but the board will not hold anyone back.

When Matt broke the news he was staying at Celtic there were a few big smiles around the place.

Chairman Martin Mahone added it was great news that Matt was to stay. He said: “Now we can kick on and push for Northern League status ourselves.

“We have a young good manager and a very good young squad with plenty of youngsters coming through.

The reserves finished third in the county league Division 1 and made three finals so we can and I hope we will kick on next season as many of those good youngsters can be added to Matt’s first team.”

Briggs said the season for the first team starts in seven weeks (Saturday, August 4), and as four new teams have been added to the league they will play 42 league games next season.

Matt will meet with the squad shortly and with pre season games already scheduled. Things look good and it all starts on Tuesday, July 10 as both first and second teams go to Carlisle City then on Saturday, July 14. Celtic will host their first home game of the pre season as the mighty Carlisle United come to McGrath Park, kick off 1pm.

A week later Celtic go to Gretna 2008, kick off 2.30.

Saturday, July 28 Celtic are away to Holker Old Boys kick off 1pm and Tuesday, July 31, Celtic go to Penrith, kick off 7.30pm

Celtic are also hoping to have a home game with Workington Reds before the big kick off on Saturday, August 4.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk