Defender Steve Waywell was signed by Celtic manager Don Wilson from Rossendale United and made his debut on Saturday, 21 August, 1976, on the opening day of the 1976/77 Cheshire County League season in a 3-1 away win at Middlewich Athletic. 

During his time at Celtic, Steve formed a formidable ever present central defensive partnership with Bob Barrass that were Cheshire County League runners-up and Cheshire County League Challenge Shield winners 1977/78, Cheshire County League champions and Cheshire County League Challenge Shield finalists 1979/80 and Cheshire Senior Cup finalists 1980/81. After playing 5 seasons he left at the end of the 1980/81 season to join Chorley.

Steve re-joined Celtic for the start of the 1986/87 North West Counties League season when he was signed  from Chorley by player manager Kevan Keelan, making his second debut for the 'Bridge in a 1-0 home win v Kirkby Town on Saturday, 9 August, 1986, helping the club to win the North West Counties League championship that season and North West Counties League Challenge Cup finalists.

He played his final game for Celtic the following season on Saturday, 31 October, 1987, after scoring the equalising goal during the one-all Northern Premier League Division 1 game at Eastwood Hanley before leaving to begin his managerial career by taking up his first post at neighbours Curzon Ashton. 

In all Steve made 302 appearances scoring 15 goals, making him one of only a handful of Celtic players, in over a century, to play 300 games for the club.