Upholding the family name

FOLLOWING IN DAD’S BOOTPRINTS . . . Charlie Anderson is regularly watched by ex-United star Viv.

Non-League football:

FAMOUS family connections appear to be helping humble Mossley this season as the team continues to make progress in Evo-Stik Division One North.

Former Lilywhites manager Steve Halford jumped ship to join Ashton United on the eve of the season, leaving Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison to pick up the pieces.

A faltering start to Mossley’s season followed the departure - but the team is recovering with the help of the son of a former England legend and the brother of a famous current striker.

Charlie Anderson is a talented 22-year-old former FC United and Winsford United defender or

midfielder - and his dad is ex-Nottingham Forest and Manchester United star Viv, a two-time European Cup winner.

“My dad comes to watch me regularly – he always has done,” said Charlie. “I was at Macclesfield as a junior and he used to take me there all the time. He’s followed me every step of the way and I’ve really appreciated that.”

Though Viv’s playing career was coming to an end as Charlie was born, a love of the sport was always going to be instailled in the child.

“The clearest memories I have are from his management days at Middlesbrough. He was Bryan Robson’s assistant and that was around the time I was growing to love football. I was going to watch Boro every week then and I remember they were good times.

“I’ve seen clips of dad during his playing days and it does make me proud. Just the other day I was looking at an old clip of him playing in the European Cup final and it was so interesting to see how he played. I know how honoured and proud all the family are of dad.

While Charlie currently plays across Mossley’s back four or in the engine room, team-mate Wayne Welbeck (26) grafts tirelessly up front, and he’s from good family stock too.

His brother is Manchester United and England striker Danny, one of the nation’s big hopes heading towards the feverishly-anticipated World Cup finals in Brazil next summer.

Speaking proudly about his supremely-talented sibling, ex-Winsford hit-man Wayne said: “Obviously the family are very proud of Daniel. He has already achieved a lot for a young man, but we all feel he has a lot more to come.

Asked whether Danny was set to grace one of Mossley’s increasingly-important fixtures as the chase for promotion hots up later in the season, Wayne was more than a little hopeful.

He added: “Daniel’s schedule at Manchester United keeps him extremely busy so any down time is precious. But never say never.”