Local football in mourning over deaths of two former managers

Tributes have been paid to two former non-League football managers after their deaths over the festive period.

Former Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde United boss Peter Wragg died aged 78 on Christmas Day. 

Appointed Stalybridge manager for the first of three stints in 1977, he led the club to its first Cheshire League title in 1980 before helping Chorley win promotion into the Northern Premier League (NPL) two years later. 

Although his Midas touch didn’t come to full fruition in the NPL with Hyde United between 1983 and 1986, he still took the Tigers to the FA Cup First Round for the first time in a generation where they lost 2-0 against Burnley at Turf Moor. 

After leaving Hyde in March 1986, he returned to Ewen Fields just over a year later to clinch the NPL title with Macclesfield – a season that saw the Silkmen win a historic treble of league, League Cup and Presidents Cup titles. 

Peter took his Macclesfield team to the FA Trophy final at Wembley in 1989, losing 1-0 to Telford United, who had dispatched Hyde United in the semi-final. 

Despite all this, perhaps his most famous accomplishment was rescuing Stalybridge Celtic from near-certain relegation from the Conference (now National League) when he returned to Bower Fold in 1993, winning nine of their final 12 games. 

He had spells with Halifax Town, Hucknall Town and Northwich Victoria before coming back to Stalybridge in the mid-00s. 

Commenting on X/Twitter, former Stalybridge, Hyde and Droylsden player Martin Filson said: “Sad news. Pete took me to Halifax full time when I was part time after a double leg break. Then sold me to Dagenham as [he] realised I wasn’t good enough for them. A good judge of a player. Charismatic man and great, great company.” 

One of his ex-players at Macclesfield and successor as boss at Bower Fold, Steve Burr, said: “He was a fabulous guy and a great man-manager. He trusted his players, knew their strengths and was able to get average footballers to perform above their ability. 

"He was a real character who gave me memories that will live forever. I loved every minute of my time playing for him.” 

Mike Pavasovic, who interviewed Peter dozens of times as former Sports Editor of the Tameside Reporter, said: “Perhaps being eccentric, being a character, is one of the essential qualities of being a top-class manager.  

“I don’t know if Peter Wragg knew one end of a coaching manual from the other, but he certainly knew how to get the best from a team. He also knew how to entertain and how to be a good friend.” 

Ged Coyne, who took charge of Hyde United, Mossley, Curzon Ashton and Glossop North End died suddenly aged 68 on December 28. 

A former youth team player with both Manchester City and Manchester United, he played for several Tameside non-League teams – including Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic and both Ashton sides – before taking over as Mossley manager from his mentor Les Sutton. 

Ged’s spell at Seel Park lasted from February to October 1992 before making the switch to Ewen Fields, where his swashbuckling style won admirers during his year at the helm. 

He made the short journey to Glossop North End for a successful three-year tenure, in which the club progressed to what was then its deepest run in the FA Vase and transformed a struggling side to finish 6th in his first full season. 

Ged became assistant to Dave Denby at Curzon Ashton in 1996, taking over the reigns as the club slid towards a relegation he couldn’t prevent. 

They were demoted to the Northern Counties East League for an ill-fated season in the mostly Yorkshire-based division. 

Syd White, his assistant at Glossop, who later followed him into the management hotseat at Surrey Street and is now a director at Curzon Ashton, told the Reporter: “I was asked by Ged to join him as Assistant Manager at Glossop North End in October 1995.  

“We worked together for just over 12 months, his knowledge of players and how to set up a team was second-to-none. He also liked a laugh when it suited. 

“I can still see us now in my back garden getting a squad together on paper in the summer of 1996.  

“You rest in peace now, Ged. It was a pleasure knowing you, my friend.” 

Pete Ainger, General Manager of Hyde United said: “Ged was part of the successful early 80s squad under Les Sutton, joined by his brother Peter. 

“My overriding memory of Ged as a manager was of producing entertaining football and unearthing a diamond, who became one of our all-time greats and an England non-League international, in Ged Kimmins.” 

The Coyne family connection is still strong at Hyde, where his son Martin is Nick Spooner’s assistant manager.