All about Mossley

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THE HISTORY OF MOSSLEY AFC

Mossley were formed in 1903 as Park Villa, initially competing in local competitions but, after just one season the club's name was changed to Mossley Juniors. In 1909 they became Mossley AFC and moved to their present ground Seel Park in 1912 from their previous site at Luzley.

The early years of Mossley AFC were spent in the Ashton & District League culminating in a superb season in 1914-15 when Mossley won the League, Manchester Junior Cup and the Lady Aitken Cup, progressing to the South East Lancs League in 1915, the Manchester Amateur League in 1916 and the Lancashire Combination in 1918.

In 1919 Mossley became founder members of the Cheshire County League, finishing runners-up in the first season in both League and League Cup, returning to win the League Cup the following season beating Sandbach Ramblers in the Final. Apart from many successes in the Ashton Challenge Cup and various Manchester Cup wins Mossley had many lean years in the League, rarely finishing in the top half of the table, although, in 1961 they won the Cheshire League Cup for only the second time when they beat a strong Tranmere Rovers Reserve side 6-3 at Hyde United's ground under the guidance of former Blackburn Rovers star Eddie Quigley.

Mossley's most successful season in their Cheshire League days was in 1969-70 when Don Wilson's side finished runners-up in the League, reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in 20 years, losing narrowly in a replay to Stockport County and, made it to the Quarter-Finals of the inaugural FA Challenge Trophy going out to then Southern League giants Barnet.

After more than fifty years in the Cheshire League, the Lilywhites were elected to the Northern Premier League in 1972.

During the late ‘70s, Mossley grew into a formidable force in nonleague football. They won successive League titles in 197879 and 1979-80 and finished runners-up in each of the next three seasons.

With influential manager Bob Murphy at the helm the club also saw its greatest moment. May 1980 saw the Lilywhites at Wembley in the Final of the FA Challenge Trophy.

After defeating supposedly bigger clubs like Altrincham, Blyth Spartans and Boston United on the way, Mossley unluckily lost 2-1 in the Final to Dagenham, their first defeat in 31 games.

A crowd of 26,000 were at Wembley, and a memorable day for the Club and town was captured for posterity by Granada TV in their documentary “Mossley Goes To Wembley. ” At this time Mossley had the most formidable strike force in non-league football with the legendary Leo Skeete, Dave Moore and Ian Smith alongside first Eamonn O'Keefe (sold to Everton for a club record £25,000 fee), and then Kevan Keelan. The following season saw Mossley take their only Football League scalp in the FA Cup when they beat Crewe Alexandra at Seel Park. Other League clubs faced in the FA Cup during the glory years were Rotherham United, York City, Mansfield Town, Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Darlington.

The great run of success ended abruptly in 1984 when following financial upheavals the Lilywhites finished bottom of the then one division NPL and had to seek reelection.

A gradual recovery took place through the ‘80s with 1988-89 being the most successful since the glory days. Under the guidance of Bryan Griffiths and Dave Jones (who went on to manage a number of League Clubs), Mossley won the NPL Cup, Manchester FA Premier Cup, Reporter Floodlit Cup and at the start of the following season, the NPL Challenge Shield.

After this, fortunes faded again following further financial problems with the Club narrowly avoiding relegation in 1992. The following year, after a calamitous series of results not even the return of the legendary Bob Murphy could save the Club from the drop.

Over the next two years Mossley saw no fewer than six managerial changes and the Lilywhites run of 23 years in the Unibond/NPL came to an end in 1995 when they were relegated to the North West Counties League.

1995-96 saw Mossley make a highly promising NWCL debut, involved in the promotion race for most of the season they eventually finished fourth, reaching the Final of the NWCL Floodlit Trophy into the bargain.

The following season, after a bright start, the team failed to stay the pace with the leaders and finally finished in 7th position but did have a great run in the FA Carlsberg Vase, reaching the Quarter-Finals.

In 1997 the Club parted company with manager Kevan Keelan and installed another former Lilywhites player, Benny Phillips as his replacement. Season 1998-99 then saw Mossley more than unfortunate not to win the title, losing out in controversial circumstances to Workington on the last day of the season. It was a bitter pill to swallow after leading the table for the last three months which included a club record 12 successive wins. The Millennium season saw Mossley again reach the QuarterFinals of the FA Vase, going down 3-1 at eventual winners Deal Town and slip from the title race after that blow to finish fourth. They did though reach the Final of the Manchester Premier Cup, unluckily losing by a last minute goal to Droylsden at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park. 2000-01 was a disappointing one after a great start which saw the record 12 successive wins equalled but hampered by injuries and suspensions to key players Mossley eventually finished in midtable. In November 2001 Benny Phillips was replaced as manager by former Coventry City and Stoke City star Ally Pickering and Mossley finished in eighth position.

Mossley finished their Centenary Season 2002-03 in third position, reaching the Quarter-Finals of the FA Vase for the third time and won their first silverware in over a decade when beating Clitheroe 21 to win the NWCL Worthington Trophy at Gigg Lane, Bury. The 2003-04 season saw Jason Beckford replace Pickering as manager just prior to the season and the club fought tooth and nail to win promotion to the UniBond League, going on a 21 match unbeaten run up to the new year. They were then hit by a three-point deduction due to an administrative error and form took a nosedive as the team quickly crashed out of four cups and lost poll position in the League. The drama continued to the end as Mossley where just pipped to the title by Clitheroe on the last day of the season. Promoted in second place, 200405 season saw Mossley consolidate back in the UniBond League, being unfortunate to miss out on a place in the promotion play-off ’s after finishing in seventh place. In the 2005-06 season Mossley excelled by becoming Champions of the UniBond League Division One on the last day of the season, finishing two points above Fleetwood Town. This despite losing their last two games earned promotion to the Premier Division where they had last competed in 1993. Unfortunately, the joy was shortlived as the Lilywhites were relegated at the end of the season, returning to a newly reconstituted UniBond Division One they were placed in the North Division. Beckford resigned followed quickly by the retirement of the clubs Directors and main sponsors, the Rigby family after a ten year period in control of club affairs. A new Board of Directors made up of club supporters was appointed in the summer and former Emley, Altrincham and Ashton United boss Gerry Quinn was named as manager in what was a hugely transitional time for the club. Summer 2008 saw Quinn replaced by former Mossley player Chris Willcock as manager and the team finished in a creditable tenth position, also reaching the Final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup, unluckily losing 2-1 to Droylsden in the final at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park.

In late December 2009 severe weather caused two of the 39 year old floodlights to collapse and the remaining six pylons were condemned meaning midweek home games were played at Ashton United's Hurst Cross for the remainder of the season. A new floodlight system was installed in the close season of 2010. Chris Willcock resigned in January 2010 to be replaced by his former assistant John Flanagan and the team enjoyed a great run climbing to seventh position. Flanagan resigned at the end of the season, and he was replaced by former Stalybridge Celtic reserve boss Shaun Higgins. Despite a good FA Cup run to the final Qualifying Round Higgins reign only lasted until March 2011 when following a poor run of results and form he was replaced by former Woodley Sports boss Gareth McClelland, initially on a caretaker basis. McClelland impressed enough to be given the job for the 2011-12 season Mossley's 100th year at Seel Park. McClelland resigned in January 2012 and former Accrington and Droylsden defender Steve Halford was appointed player/manager and lifted the team to a comfortable mid-table finish. Mossley also reached the Final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup, but the final was never played as scheduled opponents Droylsden couldn't raise an eligible team and so the Lilywhites were awarded the trophy by default. The 2012-13 season saw Mossley competing at the top end of the Evo-Stik League Division One North throughout the campaign finally achieving a play-off position on the final day of the season. However, the team were then desperately unlucky to lose to an injury time goal at Cammell Laird in the play-off Semi- Final. The Lilywhites did, however, retain the Manchester FA Premier Cup beating Salford City on penalties in the final at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park ground following a 2-2 draw. Manager Halford departed to Ashton United just prior to preseason and Mossley appointed his former assistant Peter Band and ex-Winsford United boss Lloyd Morrison as joint managers for the 2013-14 season and with a completely rebuilt team finished just below mid-table.

The 2014-15 season saw Mossley competing all season for a play-off place only losing out in the last week of the campaign. That disappointment was waylaid by success in the Manchester FA Premier Cup as the Lilywhites beat Curzon Ashton on penalties in the Final at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park to win the trophy for the third time in four seasons. 2015-16 saw the Lilywhites on the fringes of the play-offs throughout the season but injuries and suspensions took their toll on League form and the team had to settle for a mid-table finish. However, Mossley retained the Manchester FA Premier Cup beating National League North neighbours Stalybridge Celtic 3-1 in the Final at Hyde United’s Ewen Fields Stadium to win the trophy for the fourth time in five years. 2016-17 and 2017-18 were largely disappointing seasons culminating in the departure of the popular Band and Morrison in April 2018 after almost five years in charge. Former Stockport Town boss Dave Wild and ex-Glossop and Cheadle Town coach Terry Hincks were appointed as successors. The 2018-19 season saw the Lilywhites challenging for a playoff place throughout the season but in the end finished in eighth place also reaching the Manchester Premier Cup Final losing 3-1 to Curzon Ashton. Terry Hincks departed to become manager of Abbey Hey at the end of the season leaving Dave Wild in sole charge. Wild resigned in February 2020 after a poor run of form with team captain Andy Keogh taking over as caretaker manager. However, four games later the season was halted due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak. Former Chadderton FC Manager David Fish was appointed team manager in June 2020 and along with his assistant Lee Ashworth put together a new look squad. The Lilywhites started the ‘21/22 season in great form and were top of the league by the end of October. However the season petered out with Mossley finishing in eighth place.

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MOSSLEY AFC THE SQUAD

David Fish - Manager

David was appointed Mossley manager in June 202 after spending the three previous seasons in charge at North West Counties Leaguers Chadderton. As a player Fish was a goalkeeper who played at Manchester United as a junior before joining Stockport County, where as a pro he was understudy to the likes of Paul Jones and Carlo Nash. Following his release by Stockport, David joined Woodley Sports and was an integral part of the team that won the NWCFL Second Division title. His performances caught the eye of several teams and he moved to Stalybridge Celtic where he was part of the side that won the Northern Premier League, League Cup and Cheshire Cup treble and the side that played in the Conference the following season. He then moved to Witton Albion, Hyde United and finished his semi-pro career with a long stint at Curzon Ashton. Following a break from the game he returned initially as a player, then player-manager and head

coach at Lancashire Amateur League side Rochdale St Clements, where he met Lee Ashworth, who spent 19 years at the club, coaching and managing teams in both the junior and adult sections, including managing the first team to a Lancashire Amateur League cup win before the pair joined Chadderton as manager and assistant manager respectively in October 2017.

Alex Craddock – Asst Manager

Alex Craddock joined Mossley in June 2020 from North-West Counties side Shelley FC who finished the previous season firmly in the promotion places. He was appointed as Assistant Manager in December 2021 following Lee Ashworth's decision to step down.

Scott Thompson - Coach

Scott joined Mossley in May 2021 after coaching under Peter Band's management at Glossop North End. He was previously First Team Coach at Tintwistle Athletic and worked across the youth teams at Uppermill FC. Scott has also

previously worked at Manchester United Soccer Schools and Oldham Athletic and is working towards his UEFA B Licence.

Jimmy Longdin - Keeper Coach

Jimmy joined Mossley in June 2020 having spent the 2017/18 season at Chadderton FC before moving to Chester FC for the 2018/19 campaign.

Chloe Hampson – Sports Rehabilitator

Chloe joined Mossley during in the 2021/22 season She has since graduated from the University of Bolton with a First Class Degree in Sports Rehabilitation.

PLAYERS

Jack Banister — Winger / AM

Talented attacking wide midfielder Jack Banister was signed from Widnes in September 2021. Jack began his non-league career with Widnes helping them to promotion to the Northern Premier League in the 2017/18 season. He then spent the 2018/19 season with FC United of Manchester where he scored 7 goals in 38 appearances in National League North before signing for Curzon Ashton in July 2019. Jack has also had spells with Warrington Town and Atherton Collieries before re-joining Widnes for a third time in late 2020.

Jordan Butterworth – Mid/Def

A creative central midfielder Jordan was signed from Chadderton in July 2020. He was previously a member of the first ever quadruple winning Curzon Ashton Youth Team in 2016/17, having earlier been part of the academies at both Manchester United and Oldham Athletic. Jordan was an ever present in the Lilywhites team last season, appearing in all 47 games.

Nicky Clee — Midfield

Vastly experienced midfielder Nicky was David Fish's first new arrival at Seel Park for the 2022/23 season. Huddersfield based Nick has spent the last five seasons in National League North with Bradford Park Avenue where he made over 150 appearances. The left sided midfielder or full back began his non-league playing career with Ossett Albion. Nicky was signed by later Mossley manager Gerry Quinn for Ashton United in 2004 making 50 appearances and scoring 9 goals. A lengthy spell with Hyde United (159-21) followed before he joined Altrincham in 2009. He went on to make over 250 appearances scoring around 35 goals for the Robins in his first of two spells with

the club. The 2016./17 season was Nicky have brief spells with Guiseley and Harrogate Town preceding a return to Altrincham where he made a further 21 appearances before transferring to Bradford PA in the closed season of 2017. He re-signed for Ashton United in August 2019 making a further 20 appearances but returned in Bradford for a second time in December 2019.

Josh Dickin - Defender

Central defender Josh Dickin was signed in the 2022 preseason from Prestwich Heys. Previously with Abbey Hey Josh is the brother of Mossley Womens team goalkeeper Meg Dickin.

Mason Fawns - Forward / AM

Attacking midfielder Mason Fawns signed for Mossley from Ramsbottom United in the 2021 closed season. Mason came through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers and Oldham Athletic, making his first team debut for Oldham in 2017 and going on to make 6 first team appearances while also have loan spells at Ashton United and AFC Fylde. Since leaving Oldham in 2019 he has also had spells with Curzon Ashton and Altrincham.

Jack Grundy – Defender

Versatile defender Jack initially signed for Mossley on work experience from Oldham Athletic in December 2019. He then joined the Lilywhites on a permanent basis following his release from the Latics in June 2020.

Will Hartshorne — Defender

Will is a talented young central defender signed in December 2021 from Glossop North End where he has been a regular starter, making a total of 40 appearances since joining the Hillmen in November 2019. The 6' 4" central defender began his career as an Academy player at Bolton Wanderers.

Kane Hickman - Midfield

(dob 21/07/1997) Manager’s Player of the Year last season, Kane is a talented and industrious midfielder who was signed in August 2020 from the currently inactive Droylsden FC. Previously Kane came through youth football with Avro and Rochdale before spells with Abbey Hey, Hyde United, Prestwich Heys, Glossop North End and Buxton.

Andy Keogh – Anywhere

Andy is a highly versatile player able to play in defence, midfield or attack and who re-signed for his third spell with Mossley in February 2018 having returned from a year with Trafford. He began his playing career as a youth teamer at Altrincham and then had spells with Wythenshawe Town and Flixton before joining Winsford United in 2012 and Mossley in August 2013, departing for Nantwich Town in December 2013 after scoring 9 goals in 29 Mossley appearances. Andy returned to Mossley in August 2014 and made a further 95 appearances scoring another 17 goals before transferring to Trafford in February 2017. Andy was re-appointed as team captain in 2018 and has currently made a total 284 appearances and scored 58 goals for the Lilywhites and has twice been voted Supporters Player of Year, most recently, last season.

Shane Killock — Defender

Experienced central defender Shane Killock joined Mossley in July 2022 following a season with Stalybridge Celtic. The Huddersfield based player began with Ossett Albion before he signed for Huddersfield Town making two first team appearances for the Terriers. A brief spell with Oxford United followed before he joined AFC Telford United going on to make 132 appearances for the Shropshire club before signing for Harrogate Town in 2012. A spell with Hyde United in 2015/16 was followed by a successful move to Bradford Park Avenue making almost 100 appearances and scoring 8 goals. In the two covid affected seasons he played for Alfreton Town and Buxton before joining Stalybridge Celtic last summer.

Dale Latham - Goalkeeper

Dale is an experienced goalkeeper signed from Glossop North End in the closed season of 2021. He has previously with Chadderton, Winsford United, Radcliffe Borough, Droylsden, Avro, Atherton Colls and Ramsbottom United. Dale’s debut season with Mossley was ended prematurely by injury but he is now fit again to return as Mossley No.1.

Bailey Marsden - Midfield

Hard working attacking midfield player Bailey was signed in the 2021 closed season following his release by Crewe Alexandra. He was previously a junior player at Manchester United.

Louie Potts - Forward

Mossley signed forward Louis initially on dual registration forms from Avro just before transfer deadline day in March 2022. The skilful attacking midfielder or front man has had a superb season for Avro having scored 17 goals and a good number of assists in 43 appearances for the Oldham based club this term. Louis began his playing career as a junior with Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers before stepping into non-league with Avro. He then two spells with Northwich Victoria with a brief time at Matlock Town sandwiched between before returning again to Avro last year.

Joe Rothwell - Defender

Right back Joe Rothwell was signed from Prestwich Heys in March 2022 where he had made around 65 appearances. He was previously with Maine Road, New Mills and Colne.

Freddie Sass - Defender

Freddie Sass is a left sided defender who was signed from Tadcaster Albion in December 2021. He was an Academy player at Macclesfield Town and then moved into senior football with Egerton FC in the Cheshire League before joining up with Stalybridge Celtic in at the beginning of the 2020/21 season.

THE LIONS DEN MOSSLEY

IN NUMBERS 1903 6,640

Mossley were founded in 1903, originally as Park Villa FC. A season later they were renamed Mossley Juniors. 5 Years later they renamed again as Mossley AFC. A record attendance of 6,640 witnessed a game in the Cheshire County League v Stalybridge Celtic.

9Mossleys biggest win was 9-0 v Urmston in the Manchester Sheild in 1947

13 Mossleys losing 13 heaviest defeat -2 in the Cheshire came in 1926 County League v Witton Albion,

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