Mossley delight at Charnock signing

MOSSLEY have signed Phil Charnock, a footballer who has a place in Liverpool’s record books.

The midfield man became the youngest player ever to appear for the club in European competition when he made his debut in a Cup-Winners’ Cup tie against Apollon Limassol in 1992.

Charnock, who makes his debut in tonight’s friendly against Stalybridge Celtic at Seel Park for the Frank Robinson Memorial Trophy, was 17 years and nine months of age when he broke a record set the previous year by Jamie Redknapp.

Though Charnock, now aged 33, failed to establish a regular place at Liverpool, he spent six year at Crewe, making 155 appearances, and also played league football for Blackpool, Port Vale and Bury.

Since 2003, Charnock has played for Irish teams Linfield and Ballymena before moving to Fleetwood and Leigh RMI. He has also missed a whole year through injury.

New Mossley manager Chris Willcock has also signed Dave Prout, a 21-year-old midfield player, who last season starred for Blue Square North play-off side Southport.

Willcock is delighted with his acquisitions, declaring: “I want us to play attractive football and Phil and Dave are two central midfield players who will enable us to do that.”

Seven of last season’s side have remained - Darryl Weston, Michael Fish, Jon-Paul Lewis, Matty Kemp, Dave Conway, Leon Henry and Lee Blackshaw.

CHADDERTON are hoping to have their future resolved by the end of the month with a new consortium poised to take control of the club.

The position could become clearer later today after a meeting between Broadway club officials, officers from Oldham Council and the prospective new owners.

The various parties had a fruitful meeting last Thursday when Chadderton officials emerged a lot more confident that the future of the club will soon be secured.

Owners Craig Halliwell and Tony Bhatti have withdrawn their financial support leaving Chadderton with substantial debts.

Oldham Council own the ground, with Chadderton currently operating with a licence to use the facilities. But the prospective new owners are looking for the extra security a lease affords due to the debts they will be inheriting.

OLDHAM TOWN are battling to get two key players fit for the start of the season.

Top scorer Darren Scanlan and central defender Damian Schofield were both injured playing for Town in a Futsol tournament.

Scanlan stood on the ball and damaged knee ligaments while Schofield broke his wrist.

LOCal teams will be looking for a cash bonanza from the FA Cup.

Prize money from 2008/2012 has been increased by a staggering 69 per-cent from £9.7m to £16.4m each year.

Should the local clubs battle through the extra preliminary and preliminary rounds they will pick up a total of £2,250.

And victory in the first qualifying round will net clubs £3,000 in prize money.

Any non-league team entering at the extra preliminary stage and battling through to the first-round proper would collect £29,750.

The team which lifts the FA Cup will collect £2m which is double the prize for 2004/08.