PREM ACE TAKES STOCK ON CELTIC

EX-PREMIER League goalkeeper David Stockdale has vowed to safeguard the long-term future of football in Farsley — but the short-term outlook is far less certain.

- By Andy Mitchell

It was announced this week that the family of the former Fulham, Brighton and Birmingham City stopper, 39, had agreed a deal to take over the company — FC 2010 Holdings Limited - that owns Farsley Celtic’s ground and surrounding land. It is also the parent firm to the separate entity that runs the first team.

Stockdale became Celtic’s fourth manager of a torturous season in February immediately after under-fire owner Paul Barthorpe had left the club board.

Many of the off-field issues link back to the planned installation of a 3G pitch that never happened, leading to a groundshare 70 miles away at Buxton.