We are delighted to announce the signing of defender Bailey Sloane ahead of the busy Christmas period.
He came through youth football with the Shakers before moving on to AFC Fylde, when the club was expelled from the EFL in 2019. Early spells with clubs such as Bury AFC, Chester and Avro helped him adapt to the physical and tactical demands of the adult game.
In 2021, Bailey earned a move to Accrington Stanley, marking an important step into the EFL environment. Although he did not make a league appearance for the club, loan spells with teams including AFC Telford United and Radcliffe provided valuable match experience and continued development.
Following his release from Accrington, he joined Farsley Celtic in 2024, where he enjoyed his most regular run of first-team football to date in the National League North. Playing mainly at left-back, he made a strong impression with his physical presence, versatility and defensive reliability. In early 2025, he moved to Marine AFC, continuing to gain senior experience before leaving the club later in the year for personal reasons.
Interim manager, Tim Lees, said: “Bailey is an excellent player who can play left back or left-sided centre back. Aggressive, defensively very good 1v1 and extremely comfortable on the ball. He brings experience playing much higher and will fit perfectly with how we want to play.”
Sloane becomes the first player to feature for the club pre-2019, for Bury AFC and Bury FC since our return to Gigg Lane in 2023.
He will be available for selection for our Boxing Day clash against Clitheroe at Gigg Lane.