Cleator Moor Celtic F.C.

History

Cleator Moor was founded in 1908–09 by Irish immigrants employed in the local iron ore mines.

In the 1950–51 season, Cleator Moor reached the first round of the FA Cup, where they lost to Tranmere Rovers 5–0, in a match played at Workington. All other campaigns in the FA Cup have not seen the club progress past the second qualifying round. The club has also competed in the FA Vase, reaching the second round in 1986–87.

The club joined the Wearside League in 1988–89 and spent seven seasons in that league, their best finish being in 1990–91 when they finished in eighth place. They rejoined the Wearside League in 2004–05.

Cleator Moor Celtic celebrated its 100th birthday in 2008.

Players

Scott Carson played for the Celtic from Under 10s through to Under 16s and also made appearances with the Under 18s and the First Team before his recruitment to the Leeds United academy after being spotted playing for Workington in the FA Youth Cup. He turned professional with Leeds before signing for Liverpool. After loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa, he joined West Bromwich Albion.

Whitehaven-born Charlie Woods was transferred from Cleator Moor Celtic to Newcastle United in May 1959, making, and scoring on, his professional debut at Craven Cottage in a 4-3 defeat to Fulham F.C. Woods went on to play in the football league for Newcastle United, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Watford and Colchester United until he retired in 1971. Woods played 272 professional games scoring 46 goals. Woods became a coach at Ipswich Town where he began a long term coaching and scouting relationship with Sir Bobby Robson which carried on through Robson's England and Club management career. He became a close friend and confidant of Robson. Woods was sacked from Newcastle United in 2004, at the same time as Robson was dismissed by then Chairman Freddie Sheppard. Woods played a significant role in the recruitment of players such as Loren Robert and Charles N'Zogbia to Newcastle United and was also involved in the development of the Ipswich Town Team containing Kevin Beatie and Alan Brazil. Woods also served Ipswich as a Coach under Manager George Burley.

Joseph (Joe) Peter Kennedy

Born in Cleator Moor, Cumberland, Kennedy represented St. Patrick's School in Cleator Moor, as well as Whitehaven & District Boys. He joined Cleator Moor Celtic in 1941, then Workington the following year. Kennedy had trials at Brentford and Millwall in 1943 and 1944 respectively, before moving to non-league Gravesend for the 1944–45 season. He joined Freelands F.C. in August 1945, before signing for Altrincham in April 1946.

Kennedy turned professional in December 1948, when he signed for West Bromwich Albion for a £750 fee. He made his debut away against Luton Town in Division Two on 9 April 1949, less than two months after his first game for the reserve team. Kennedy initially played at inside-right and then right-half, but later switched to centre-half as successor to Jack Vernon. In 1952 the Birmingham Mail claimed that Kennedy was the highest paid footballer in the country, due to him receiving maximum club wages, regular win bonuses and various representative honours.

Kennedy suffered a leg injury in 1953–54 and lost his place to Jimmy Dugdale. However he was called upon to replace the injured right-back Stan Rickaby for the 1954 FA Cup Final against Preston North End, which Albion won 3–2. When Dugdale left to join Aston Villa, Kennedy became Albion's regular centre-half for most of the remainder of the decade.

In all he made 397 appearances for West Bromwich Albion, scoring four goals, before joining Chester City on a free transfer in June 1961. He made his debut in a 1–0 home win over Oldham Athletic on 19 August 1961 but Chester finished bottom of the Football League at the end of the 1961–62 season and Kennedy retired from professional football. His 35th and final league appearance for Chester came on 1 May 1962, in a 2–0 loss at Carlisle United. He also played during the season in two league games against Accrington Stanley that were deleted from the records when Accrington resigned from the Football League during the season, leaving Kennedy stranded on 399 rather than 401 league appearances when he retired.

Kennedy joined Stourbridge as player-manager in August 1962 and later turned out for his works team, Brockhouse Works F.C. He retired from playing in 1966 at the age of 40. He continued to work at Brockhouse until the age of 60, when he collapsed and died there in September 1986.

International career

Kennedy captained the England 'B' team on three occasions and also represented the FA XI. He was a permanent reserve for the full England side during the early 1950s but never earned a cap.

Records

Former players

1. Players that have played/managed in the Football League or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
2. Players with full international caps.
3. Players that hold a club record.