Last Update:
April 18, 2026
Bower Fold is a non-league football ground with plenty of character, making it a bucket list ground for many groundhoppers.
The standout feature that you notice almost immediately is that it is set into a hillside, which isn’t exactly the norm. The surrounding area makes for excellent views, which help to create a friendly vibe for visiting fans.
What also helps is the fact that segregation is rarely enforced. In the event that it is, away supporters are housed in the Mottram Stand at the South end of the ground. The entrance turnstiles to this area are located at the far end of the club car park, next to a Gym.
The Mottram Stand is a small terrace with some roof cover towards the rear and some portions of open terrace to the front and either side. There are some supporting pillars running across this stand that could impede your view.
Usually, a visit to Bower Fold is a pleasant day out. The ground is of a good standard (although the Social Club may have seen better days) and is an attractive setting.
Bower Fold benefits by having two seated stands on either side of the pitch. On one side is the Main Stand, which is a tidy-looking covered stand that was opened in 1996 and sits astride the halfway line. There is a small terrace to one side, whilst the other is a club building. The stand is flanked on either side by two floodlight pylons, but these don’t impede the view.
Opposite is the Lord Tom Pendry Stand. This modern stand, like the Main Stand, is cantilevered, meaning no supporting pillars and no obstructed views. It is raised above the pitch level, meaning that you need to climb a small set of steps to reach the seated area. Again, the floodlight pylons are situated to either side.
Both ends feature covered terracing, the more substantial of these being at the Mottram End of the ground, where away fans are housed if matches are segregated.
There is a Social Club at the ground, otherwise there is not much else in the immediate area. Instead, fans should look to drink in the town centre, near Stalybridge Railway Station. Options include:
- The White Horse – 1 Water St, Stalybridge SK15 2AG
- Old Hunters Tavern – 51-53 Acres Ln, Stalybridge SK15 2JR
- SK15 – 82 -84 Market St, Stalybridge SK15 2AB
By car
eave the M60 at Junction 24 and take the M67 towards Sheffield. Leave the M67 at the end of the motorway at Junction 4. Take the A57 towards Sheffield. After about half a mile, turn left onto the B6174 at the traffic lights towards Stalybridge. Then at the mini-roundabout bear left onto the A6018 towards Stalybridge. The ground is a couple of miles down this road on the left. The ground is quite easy to miss, so look out for the large red sign advertising the ‘Fitness Experience at Stalybridge Celtic’, which is by the entrance.
By public transport
Stalybridge Railway Station is located a mile and a half away from the ground. It is served by trains from Manchester Victoria.
Adults £10
Concessions £6
Official Programme £2.
Ashton United, Curzon Ashton, Hyde and Droylsden.
Record Attendance
9,753 v West Bromwich Albion
FA Cup First Round Replay, 17th January 1923
Average Attendance
2018-2019: 356 (Northern Premier League)
2017-2018: 315 (Northern Premier League)
2016-2017: 567 (National League North)
Stalybridge Celtic v Barnsley
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday July 9th 2016, 3pm
James Prentice (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Bower Fold Ground?
Being a non-league enthusiast as well as someone who has done the '92' Premier and Football League Grounds, I had wanted to visit Bower Fold for a long time and finally got my chance as they took on Barrow in a pre-season game. Stalybridge Celtic are, in my opinion, are up there as a classic old non-league club and I was delighted at the chance to finally see them in action at their Bower Fold Ground.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The car journey through the Peaks was a joy to behold – breath-taking scenery on a lovely warm, sunny day before the descent into Tameside and Stalybridge. I did not find any traffic issues, although fans that approach the town via the Snake Pass/Woodhead Pass may wish to allow extra travel time as these routes can get pretty packed, especially at weekends and rush hour. I parked on a side street that was two minutes' walk from Bower Fold, although I later found out that there is a fair-sized car park at the ground and a space can be had for just £1.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I didn't have a lot of time to spare before kick-off so went straight in, took a few snaps of the ground, had a quick look in the clubhouse and the got a burger. The food outlet and clubhouse are the first things fans come across as soon as you've passed through the turnstile. Being a pre-season fixture there was no segregation. Barrow had brought a few fans with them and there was a nice atmosphere and no hint of trouble.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Bower Fold Ground?
Fans enter the ground via one of the corners and the way Bower Fold 'opens out' after passing through the turnstile is almost breath-taking, not something I'm used to when travelling to non-league stadia! Both ends are covered terraces and are pretty sizeable, although the far end looks to be the bigger of the two. Unusually for this level of football, there are seated stands at both sides of the pitch, which each offer an elevated and visually unobstructed view of the action. There are one or two other turnstiles around the rest of the ground that look to be unused at present and I would guess will only be opened up when Stalybridge host a well-attended fixture or make it back into the Conference National. Overall, Bower Fold is a smart ground that has a real classic feel despite having had a couple of more modern stands added in recent times.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, p ies, facilities etc..
The first half wasn't really a lot to write home about, being a typical pre-season friendly. With just a week until the start of the National League campaign, Barrow clearly didn't want to pick up any injuries while Stalybridge were a little less cautious with two weeks to go until their campaign begins. The first half was fairly even, but in the second Stalybridge looked the stronger outfit and took the lead through Andy Owens with twenty minutes left. Kurt Sherlock doubled their lead five minutes from time and Barrow were left looking very much out of sorts, sustaining a straight red for a nasty looking challenge on a home player. The food I had was decent and fairly standard for this level. The stewards were barely noticeable and the atmosphere was fairly subdued, as is often the case at pre-season matches, although it soon cranked up a few notches when Stalybridge took the lead!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Straightforward – there was little traffic on the road and I didn't find any problems. I can imagine that it takes some time to get out of the club car park after the game, so it may be advisable to leave a minute or two before full time or face a bit of a wait to get out!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I really enjoyed my afternoon out at Bower Fold, which is quite a picturesque ground surrounded by lots of greenery. It very much has the feel of being an 'out of town' ground and is around one and half miles away from the railway station in the town centre. I would highly recommend a visit here and doubt that there is a nicer ground anywhere at this level of football.
Stalybridge Celtic v Barnsley
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday July 9th 2016, 3pm
Tom Bellamy (Barnsley fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Bower Fold ground?
I missed the same fixture last year which was also a pre season friendly, and this would be my first visit.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It was only one hour away by car, and the ground was very easy to find. There was a public car park at the ground which only cost £1. There was also ample street parking available.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
There wasn't a pub in close proximity, but there was a bar available at the ground itself before you went in. There appeared to be more away fans, and some of them were chatting to a few home fans. It was all very friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Bower Fold Ground?
Bower Fold is located in a nice setting, almost out in the country, and is surrounded by trees.There are two covered stands opposite each other which both run the length of the pitch, and covered terracing behind both goals. Both sets of fans could either sit or stand anywhere. There was no need for any segregation with it being a friendly.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was very entertaining and competitive from both teams, although there weren't many clear cut chances in the first half. The second half was completely different with Barnsley having more possession and chance s. and going on to win the game 2-0 The atmosphere was quiet, so the stewards had it easy. Food and drink was readily available inside the ground.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was very easy to get away. I had no problems whatsoever.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I really enjoyed the afternoon, and have no worries about visiting the Bower Fold Ground again.