| Jimmy O'Connor | |
| Appointed Manager: | December 1984 |
| Departed: | February 1987 |
| First game in charge: | 26th December 1984 v Witton Albion home L 0-2 |
| Last game in charge: | 17th February 1987 v Irlam Town (M/cr Premier Cup) away L 2-3 |
| Games in charge: | Played 125 Won 44 Drawn 40 Lost 41 |
| Honours with Mossley (all won as a player) |
Northern Premier League Champions 1978/79, 1979.80 Northern Premier League Runners up: 1980/81, 1981/82, 1982/83 FA Challenge Trophy Finalist: 1979/80 FA Challenge Trophy Quarter Finalist 1980/81 Northern Premier League Cup Winners 1978/79 Northern Premier League Cup Runners up: 1981/82 Manchester Senior Cup Runners up 1978/79 Northern Premier League Challenge Shield Runners up 1979, 1980, 1981 Non League Champion of Champions Cup Runners up 1979 FA Cup 2nd Round Proper 1980/81 FA Cup 1st Round Proper 1979/80, 1982/83, 1983/84 Club Player of the Year : 1972/73, 1983/84 |
Clubs as Player: |
Kirkstyles (Scotland) |
| Previous Clubs as Manager | none |
| Later Clubs as Manager | none |
James Kelly O'Connor was born in Lanark, Scotland on 27th June 1951. He began his playing career in Scottish junior football with Kirkstyles before moving south and signing professional for Bury in July 1970 as a right winger. He made 7 appearances for Bury scoring 2 goals before injury cost him his place with the club and he was released. Having been recommended to Mossley boss Don Wilson he duly signed for the Lilywhites in August 1972 and he played in Mossley's first ever Northern Premier League game at South Liverpool. O'Connor quickly became a fixture in the side and remained so through the following two seasons, making a total of 191 appearances and scoring 30 goals before being transferred to Macclesfield Town in May 1975. Following successful spells at Macclesfield and Runcorn, O'Connor played for Droylsden and cost Mossley a three figure fee when Bob Murphy re-signed him in August 1978. By now a central midfield player O'Connor became a key figure in the all conquering Mossley side of the late 70's and early 80's and remained with the club well beyond the break-up of the Wembley team. He was overlooked when he hoped to get the manager's job following Brian Grundy's departure in 1984. However, following Tony Steenson's quick departure he was offered his chance as Player-Manager in December 1984. He quickly brought stability back to the club but was never going to take Mossley beyond mid-table. The team was treading water by February 1987 and following a shock Manchester Cup defeat by Irlam Town O'Connor and his assistant Paul Webb were dismissed. O'Connor is remembered more for his playing skills than his abilities as a manager and in two spells with Mossley he made an incredible 613 appearances (by far a Club record) scoring 77 goals. He had later spells as a player with Horwich RMI and Buxton and ended his career with Colwyn Bay after taking over as a pub landlord in that area. O'Connor later became a director of League of Wales Club Rhyl. |
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