Tuesday 11th July 2006

MOSSLEY SKIPPER BECOMES A SHRIMP

Mossley have suffered a setback in the build up to the UniBond League premier division campaign.

Captain and central defender Danny Meadowcroft has moved to Morecambe in the Nationwide Conference.

Meadowcroft initially joined Mossley at the age of 17 in a loan deal from Stockport County, where he was a trainee.

The temporary move soon became a permanent one, and Meadowcroft spent almost two years at Seel Park.

“It is a big loss, although it is a compliment that Danny has gone to a club such as Morecambe,” explained Mossley manager Jason Beckford. “It shows we are developing players the right way.”

Friday 7th July 2006

CLUB SHOP NEWS

It is widely accepted that football clubs change their home shirt every 2 seasons. Mossley had a new shirt (Prostar) for the 2004/05 season but unfortunately the players were not too keen on the “tailored fit” and reverted back to an old kit for the end of that season. We then had to buy another new kit for last season (2005/06) which, in normal circumstances, would have seen us through this coming season (2006/07).

However, the Directors felt that to celebrate the return of Mossley AFC to the Unibond Premier League after 13 years it was only fitting we should have a new white kit.

Apologies to all who have supported the Club through their purchases but it is hoped that this reason is acceptable.

Therefore we are pleased to announce this season Mossley will have a new home kit. The kit will be made by Nike and will have a NEW badge design and a NEW sponsor's logo design.

Replica shirts will be available in both long and short sleeves and in the following sizes:

ADULT – XL, L, M, S

KIDS – XL, L, M, S

The price range will be from approx £25.00 to £30/£32.00 which will be confirmed by the supplier in the near future. There will be a stock order for the shop for the start of the season but the good news is that we will be able to order one off shirts as required.

Thanks again for your support. See you soon.

Mike Chamley

Friday 7th July 2006

In the FA Cup Mossley have been drawn away to fellow UniBond Premier League side Guiseley in the 1st Qualifying Round on Saturday 16th September. Full FA Cup draw is here

Mossley have been drawn at home to another fellow UniBond Premier League club Lincoln United in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. The tie will take place on Saturday 21st October. The full draw is here.

Wednesday 28th June 2006

The draw for the first round of the UniBond League Cup has been made and Mossley have received a bye through to the second round. The full first round draw is as follows:-

Monday 30th October
Gateshead v Harrogate Railway Athletic

Tuesday 31st October
Alsager Town v Kidsgrove Athletic
Bamber Bridge v Radcliffe Borough
Bridlington Town v Ossett Town
Cammell Laird v Prescot Cables
Clitheroe v Chorley
Colwyn Bay v Warrington Town
Goole Town v Ossett Albion
Guiseley v Bradford Park Avenue
Leek Town v AFC Telford United
Lincoln United v Ilkeston Town
Rossendale United v Skelmersdale United
Wakefield v Ashton United

Wednesday 1st November
Shepshed Dynamo v Buxton

All ties to be played to a completion including extra time and penalties if required.
14 Winners will join the 18 clubs with a bye to the Second Round.
14 losing clubs will enter the League Chairman's Cup if elected to do so.

Thursday 22nd June 2006

NOW IN STOCK : Unibond League Champions commemorative enamel badge - Limited Edition - only 100 to be made.
Now on sale at only £2.50 each.
Contact Mike Chamley - 07831 565093 for more details.

Monday 19th June 2006

The scheduled pre season friendly against FC United of Manchester has been put back 24 hours to Sunday 23rd July with a 3.00 pm kick off.

Tuesday 6th June 2006

Jason Beckford has made his fifth close season signing by again raiding neighbours Ashton United to sign defender Terry Bowker (pictured).

Bowker (25) began his career with Bamber Bridge before joining Altrincham in December 2000, where they still have fond memories. Getting him back to match fitness after a slight injury, he was sent on loan to Maine Road and Castleton Gabriels, before returning to Bamber Bridge in September 2001. With Bamber Bridge's relegation, he decided it was time to try his luck elsewhere, and had trials at Bradford City in March of 2002. He then enjoyed a lengthy spell with Stalybridge Celtic where he made over 100 appearances before joining Ashton in August 2005.

He was practically an ever present with Ashton last season and also captained the team.

Thursday 1st June 2006

Mossley have signed defender Danny White from neighbours Ashton United.

The powerful 26 year old began his career with Buxton and graduated through their youth and reserve sides to become one of the most highly rated defenders in the Northern Counties East League with the Derbyshire club.

He signed for Ashton United in August 2002 and went on to become first team captain at Hurst Cross.

White can play in central defence or left back and was voted Ashton's 'Player of the Year' in 2004.

Friday 26th May 2006

Jason Beckford has brought further experience to his squad with the signing of one of north west non-league football's best known names in Kenny Mayers (pictured). The influential striker who can also play in midfield or defence is considered an important signing as Beckford puts together his squad for the coming UniBond Premier Division season.

Mayers (34) began his career with Horwich RMI. He then joined Bamber Bridge and was an influential player for them as they moved from the North West Counties League through to the UniBond Premier Division.

He was then signed by Chorley for a reported fee of £12,000 in 1995. He had a spell on loan at Southport in early 1997 before joining Morecambe in the summer of that year. He spent two years with the Shrimps in the Conference before returning to the UniBond scene with Lancaster City .

He joined Stalybridge Celtic in the summer of 2002 and was their top scorer for that season before he joined Barrow in March 2004. He has also played for the UniBond representative team and various F.A. representative teams.

Mayers Left Barrow in the summer of 2004 to re-join his old boss Tony Hesketh at Kendal Town. In December 2005 he moved on to Fleetwood Town but didn't settle there and played out the season 'helping out a mate' at Padiham in the North West Counties League.

Mossley boss Beckford is still hoping to add a midfield player and a defender to his squad before pre season training begins.

Wednesday 24th May 2006

Mossley manager Jason Beckford has released two members of his championship winning squad, the most notable of which is striker Rhodri Giggs.

Giggs made 101 appearances for the Lilywhites and scored 31 goals in 2 1/2 seasons with the club. His last Mossley goal being Mossley's final goal of the 2005/06 season at Gresley.

He was Suppporters player of the year in 2004/05 and the first recipient of the Mossleyweb Dennis Cawthorne Memorial Trophy in the same season. A big fans favourite in his time at Seel Park it will be a surprise to many that a player of such obvious quality has been released.

Also departing Seel Park is goalkeeper Sam McEwen. The former Stockport County junior made just 8 appearances last season as understudy to the vastly experienced Lee Bracey after arriving from the 'Hatters' last close season.

Arriving at Seel Park is keeper Danny Trueman (23) from Wakefield-Emley. Trueman (pictured) was formerly with Ashton United but signed for the Yorkshire club in March 2005. He began his playing career with Southampton and has also been on the books of Huddersfield Town.

Wednesday 17th May 2006

EDWARDS IS FIRST SUMMER SIGNING

ROB Edwards, who only left Huddersfield Town 12 months ago, is Jason Beckford's first summer signing for Mossley.

The 36-year-old left-sided player spent last season playing for Ossett Albion in the UniBond League first division.

Edwards made 428 league appearances, scoring 68 goals, in a career which kicked off at Crewe and later saw him have two spells at Huddersfield and a short stint at Chesterfield.

Beckford, whose side was recently promoted to the UniBond League premier division wants to bring in three further players, a central defender, central midfield playmaker and striker.

BEHIND Mossley's renaissance - two promotions in three seasons - lies a remarkable story of a family's devotion to reviving the fortunes of the local football club.

Sam and Peggy Rigby and son Martin have spent the last nine years striving to bring the glory days back to Seel Park.

And such has been their commitment in terms of finance, time and energy that Sam and Peggy have managed only one week's holiday since they took over the club in 1997.

“When the season is over you would imagine we would have time for a break, but we immediately start work on the ground and preparing for the next season,” explained Peggy.

The 2006/07 season will kick off with Mossley in the premier division of the UniBond League - a far cry from when they took charge and a tangible reward for their hard graft.

While manager Jason Beckford and the players deserve enormous credit for their work, none of it would have been possible but for the off-the-field team.

It is no exaggeration to say Mossley was a club on its knees when local businessman Sam became chairman in 1997.

The club, which had reached the final of the FA Trophy in 1980 when it was regarded as one of the finest non-league teams in the land, had fallen on hard times.

Behind the scenes, the club was so heavily in debt that a dark cloud hung over its very existence.

The Rigby's had to pay off inherited debts of £65,000 before they were allowed to take over the club.

Local businessman Sam, the club chairman, explained: “The club was at a low ebb, both on and off the pitch. The team had been relegated to the North West Counties League and owed a lot of money.

“Our creditors included the tax man, brewery and Tameside Council who were owed rent and rates.

“It has been a challenge, not only for me but for the family as a whole, and it has taken a lot of hard work to pull the club round.”

Sam attributes the success to team work as son Martin is vice-chairman while Peggy is treasurer. They also have a trusted army of volunteers to assist them.

The Rigby's are not afraid to get their hands dirty either, with Martin - a qualified chef - and his partner Mary running the refreshment hut which is named ‘Martin's Bistro.'

And it is that team work which has also transformed their company Northern Electrical Connectors Limited from being a one-man band to the town's main employer with a workforce of almost 100.

Sam, who started his business in 1972, is chairman, Martin vice-chairman and Peggy the financial director.

Their company is the world's leading manufacturer of industrial battery connectors as well as doing precision engineering and plastic injection moulding. Their customers include BAE, Ferranti and British Rail.

And it is their success in the business world which has enabled them to invest in the football club.

Sam said: “Peggy and I have always been keen football fans and were season-ticket holders at Manchester City for many years.

“This football club is something we can do together - though it is an expensive hobby.

“If we kept a list of what we have spent over the last nine years it would be frightening.”

You only have to look at the clearing of the debts, massive ground improvements and achieving success on the field to appreciate it has probably run into several hundred thousand pounds because non-league football is rarely self-financing.

Sam said: “Peggy and I always used to go for a month-long cruise every winter, but we haven't missed a match since we took over the club.

“We have a holiday home in Tenerife but we've managed only one week there since 1997.”

But there are moments money cannot buy - such as the one when Mossley beat Bishop Auckland to virtually assure promotion.

“It was a tremendous feeling and at the final whistle I ran on to the pitch hugging the players,” explained Sam, who was celebrating his 72nd birthday that afternoon.

Upholding tradition

FEW families can have had a longer association with a football club than the Rigbys at Mossley.

Sam is chairman, wife Peggy controls the purse strings as treasurer while Martin is vice-chairman.

But it is 82 years since Peggy's father Frank Hollingworth signed as a player for the Lilywhites.

The teenage striker, who was recruited from local football, scored six goals in 13 first-team appearances between 1924/26.

Frank was not the only generation to play for Mossley as his grandson Martin Rigby, who was also a striker, played five times for the Seel Park side in 1983/84.

Martin was signed from Mossley Amateurs and later appeared for Ashton United before his playing career was ended by a serious back injury.

It was through her father that Peggy's love of football and Mossley was nurtured.

After Frank's playing days finished he served on the committee and founded the supporters' club at Seel Park.

And from being a small girl, Peggy was taken to games and went on the team coach to away matches.

The family have remained close to Mossley, even when they became season-ticket holders at Manchester City. Frank was such a diehard City fan he used to walk from Mossley to watch them play at Hyde Road in the days before they moved to Maine Road.

The family shared in Mossley's glory days, travelling to Wembley on a train which was specially chartered for the final of the FA Trophy in 1980.