Mossley begin quest to find new manager

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL:

MOSSLEY hope to announce the identity of John Flanagan’s successor some time in the next four weeks.

Two people have already expressed an interest in the managerial hotseat at Seel Park, although the UniBond League division one north outfit will be advertising the post.

Club secretary Harry Hulmes said: “It’s always difficult to put an exact time scale on it but we would hope to have resolved the situation within a month.

“We have a bit of a balancing act on our hands. It’s never wise to rush an appointment but on the other hand, we want to get a good pre-season under our belt with the new man in charge.”

Flanagan quit an hour before the club’s 4-1 win against Rossendale United, because he no longer felt he could juggle the responsibilities of running his own kitchen-fitting business and a football team.

Hulmes said: “We wish John all the best for the future.

“To be honest, even when he first arrived he had reservations about his ability to juggle his firm and this team. It looked like he was only going to commit to staying for three or four matches.

“But then we went on a brilliant run, played some good football, and John stayed longer.

“It’s easy to forget that football isn’t just about match day. There’s training twice a week and scouting different players.

“John has a young family and a business and it was too much in the end.”

Meanwhile, Seel Park is on the road to recovery after two floodlights collapsed in bad weather earlier in the year. The other six were removed because of concerns over safety.

The new structures should be place by next month.

Hulmes said: “The ground work has started on the project. All of the wiring is being carried out at the moment and it should all be done and dusted by the end of May.”


CHADDERTON picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Atherton Collieries in Vodkat North-West Counties League division one last night.

Paul Shanley put Collieries in front after 67 minutes, but Leon Melia equalised for the hosts 11 minutes later.

The Broadway outfit are in action on Wednesday, with Paul Buckley’s side away to Leek CSOB.


OLDHAM Boro hit the road in NWCL division one tonight.

They face a tough trip to Holker Old Boys, with manager Tony Mills sweating on the fitness of several players after Saturday’s defeat to Ashton Town.

Boro lost Alex Dibley to a hamstring injury in that game, Lee Scanlan had to be substituted after being sick on the pitch, while Duncan Philbin and Will Buckley came off suffering from blisters.