Quinn faces up to Mossley task
26/06/07
GERRY QUINN is unfazed despite admitting he faces one of the biggest challenges of his managerial career at Mossley.
Quinn will have to create a completely new team for the Lilywhites’ UniBond League campaign which kicks off in less than two months time.
“I have left messages for all the players, but none have got back to me so I have to assume they have all left,” explained the Huddersfield-based Quinn.
Melford Knight, last season’s captain and influential midfield player, has joined Ashton United, while Witton Albion have snapped up winger James Turley.
Goalkeeper Steve Wilson will also be leaving for logistical reasons as he lives in Hull.
Quinn said: “My budget is less than last season’s and the reason some of the players are leaving is because they were on good money which we cannot match.
“I will start with a clean slate and since being appointed I have spoken to a lot of players and had a positive feedback.
“Mossley is still a famous non-league club and still has pulling power in the game.”
Quinn, a PE teacher in Dewsbury, has drawn up an extensive list of targets and is confident he will have a team assembled for their opening pre-season fixture against Stalybridge Celtic on Tuesday, July 24.
But he says the main goal is to get a team on the field which is competitive when the action gets under way for real on Saturday, August 18.
“Once I get a team together then I can start tweaking - and it might take until Christmas to get everything right,” explained the new boss.
Quinn admits he has had an affinity with Mossley for 30 years due to their closeness to his home and the fact he played against them at Seel Park and also managed opposing teams.
“When I didn’t have a game, both as a player and manager, I would often travel over to watch Mossley so I have always been keen on them,” he said.
Quinn, who managed Northern Counties East side Liversedge in a caretaker capacity late in the season, added that he was interviewed and offered the Mossley manager’s job in 1990 but made an 11th hour decision to stay at Emley, who he had not long before managed to the final of the FA Vase.
source http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/
pic courtesy of http://sixtamesides.blogspot.com/