Bailey brothers re-sign for Lancaster City for new season

Brothers Sam and Charlie Bailey have extended their stays at hometown club Lancaster City for the 2024/25 season. 

The re-signing of two fan favourites is the first piece of player retention news since the season ended in late April. 

Sam was made club captain in January following the departure of former skipper and caretaker manager Andrew Teague to Clitheroe.

The full back has been at The Giant Axe since 2017, and had a previous spell there in 2014, making 286 appearances overall for the Dolly Blues. 

Also the team’s free kick and penalty kick taker, he has scored 34 goals during his time with City. 

"I’m really happy to be extending my stay at Lancaster, I’ve been here for years now and I’m more motivated than ever to give the club and fans something to smile about," said Sam.

“Being asked to captain my home town club means everything and I’m sure myself and the lads will do everything to make you guys proud in the season to come. Up The Dollies.”

Manager Chris Willcock said: “You can't have one without the other, both were important players to retain this season.”

Charlie Bailey first joined Lancaster in 2017 after spells at Morecambe and Kendal.

He’s made 234 appearances and scored 44 goals, eight of those coming last season, the pick of the bunch coming against Macclesfield in January, which was voted Goal of the Season by Dolly Blues fans.

“I’m very happy to have re-signed, we had a strong end to the season last time around and I’m excited to see what we can do this year with some new faces and also the continued support from the fans.”

Chris Willcock said: “Charlie is an integral part of the club, retaining him was a priority.”

It will be a busy few weeks for Lancaster City, with kit announcements, the retained list, the start of pre-season and, inevitably, transfers on the horizon.

Their first scheduled pre-season outing is a home game against AFC Fylde on July 5.

After that, the Festival of Football at Isle of Man FC, involving the Dolly Blues, Chester, Radcliffe and the hosts, takes place from July 19 to July 21.

Away trips to Witton Albion and Clitheroe towards the end of the month are followed up by the visit of League Two outfit Accrington Stanley to The Giant Axe on August 3.

In other Lancaster City news, the departures of goalkeeper Tom Stewart and defender Kyle Brownhill, to Bury and Stalybridge Celtic respectively, have been announced in recent days.

Two volunteer days at The Giant Axe have been organised for June 15 and June 22, with a 9am start for both, where supporters will lend their time to help out around the ground before they are treated to pizza and drinks, with manager Chris Willcock in attendance.

The Northern Premier League season gets under way on August 10, with fixtures set to be announced in July.