Madeley leaves Lilywhites

Non-league football:

PROLIFIC striker Sam Madeley’s on-off relationship with Mossley now looks to be finally off.

Madeley was the Lilywhites’ top scorer last season as they reached the Evo-Stik Division One North play-offs.

He then switched with manager Steve Halford to Ashton United in the summer, before being given the chance to return by new Mossley joint-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison when things didn’t work out at Hurst Cross.

But the player is believed to be on the verge of joining FBT Manchester League outfit Old Alts.

“It’s a shame Sam appears to have left us again,” said Band. “He scored 20-odd goals for us last season.

“We’d offered him an olive branch, but I think because he wasn’t catching of late due to the fine form of Danny Broadbent, Wayne Welbeck and Dougie Carroll, he’s not been seen for a few weeks and he isn’t answering his phone.”

Welbeck is out with a hip injury as Mossley host Lancaster City tonight in the Evo-Stik League (7.45pm kick-off).

The Lilywhites’ reward for beating Lancaster in the FA Trophy first round at the weekend is a November 2 trip to divisional rivals Northwich Victoria.