{"product_id":"harry-stafford-stalybridge-celtic","title":"Harry Stafford, Stalybridge Celtic","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarry Stafford, Stalybridge Celtic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.....was a Manchester-born outside right whose career bridged the immediate post-First World War years, a time when many clubs were rebuilding and regional leagues still carried real competitive weight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBorn in Clayton, Stafford first came to prominence in local football with Manchester Zion before moving on to Openshaw. His performances there earned him a move into the professional game, and in March 1919 he signed for Stalybridge Celtic, then competing in the Central League. A quick, industrious winger, he became part of the side during a pivotal period in the club’s history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen Stalybridge Celtic were elected to the Football League and placed in the newly formed Third Division (North) in 1921, Stafford made his League debut away at Walsall in October of that year. He featured regularly during Celtic’s inaugural League campaign, scoring once in 22 appearances as the club finished a respectable seventh. The following season, 1922–23, saw him firmly established in the side, adding another goal across 37 further League outings, though it ended in disappointment as Celtic lost their League status.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring that same season, Stafford attracted interest from Manchester United, joining the club in March 1923. His time at Old Trafford was spent with the reserves, and he did not make a first-team appearance, before moving on to Crewe Alexandra in June 1924. He spent a single season at Gresty Road, scoring once in 22 League matches, but was not retained.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA brief trial appearance for Accrington Stanley against Halifax Town in October 1925 proved to be his final involvement in professional football, bringing to a close a career representative of many skilled post-war players whose contributions were vital at club level, even if they never enjoyed prolonged spells in the top tiers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eProduct details:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou will only pay shipping\/postage for 1 item, no matter how many items you purchase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiscounts are given for multiple purchases.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSize: A3, A4, A5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSingle Sided\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePaper: 400gsm premium art stock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePrint quality: Museum-grade, high-resolution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFinish: Unframed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWatermark shown in images does NOT appear on the final print\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarefully packaged for safe delivery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA striking piece of football history — ideal for collectors, historians, and lovers of our national game.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny issues please contact me at \u003ca href=\"mailto:paul@worldvintagecolours.com\"\u003epaul@worldvintagecolours.com\u003c\/a\u003e by clicking the hyperlink and I will get back to you ASAP.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"World Vintage Colours","offers":[{"title":"A3","offer_id":47264124960960,"sku":"Harry Stafford, Stalybridge Celtic A3","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A4","offer_id":47264124993728,"sku":"Harry Stafford, Stalybridge Celtic A4","price":7.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A5","offer_id":47264125026496,"sku":"Harry Stafford, Stalybridge Celtic A5","price":4.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/8242\/7840\/files\/A3-Harrystafford-StalybridgeCeltic-1920-Pinnace.jpg?v=1769379218","url":"https:\/\/www.worldvintagecolours.com\/products\/harry-stafford-stalybridge-celtic","provider":"World Vintage Colours","version":"1.0","type":"link"}