Vastly experienced former Mossley manager John Flanagan has returned to Seel Park to join Dave Wild's coaching staff after being out of the game since departing from Curzon Ashton last November.

John was formerly a player with Stockport County, Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic and Droylsden before stepping into management with the now defunct Woodley Sports where he had ended his playing career.

John initially arrived at Seel Park as assistant manager to Chris Willcock in the summer of 2008 and was appointed team manager folowing Willcock's resignation in January 2010. After a great run during the second half of the season he helped to lift the Lilywhites from 16th place up to a 7th placed finish but unfortunately resigned at the end of the season.

His record as Mossley manager was impressive winning 13 of his 24 games in charge, drawing 5 with only 6 defeats.

He was appointed manager at Curzon Ashton in 2011. In his first season at the helm, he guided Curzon to a 2nd-place finish in the NPL Division One North, before losing a play-off final to Witton Albion.

The 2013–14 season saw Curzon win a league championship for the first time in 36 years, finishing the season with 99 points, losing just five games throughout the campaign, and gaining promotion to the NPL Premier Division.

The following season the team won the play-offs, beating Ilkeston 1–0 in the final to gain consecutive promotions to the National League North, the second tier of the non-League pyramid and highest level in the club's history.

The 2015–16 season saw the highest ever finish in the club's history, finishing 11th in the National League North in manager John's 5th season in charge.

The 2016–2017 season saw the club equal their best ever FA Cup run by making it to the Second Round of the competition. They were knocked out following a 4–3 defeat against AFC Wimbledon.

However, in November 2018 in a statement on their website, Curzon Ashton announced: “The club regret to announce that due to recent results a decision has been taken to replace John Flanagan as the Curzon Ashton manager.

Curzon's loss is invariably Mossley's gain. Welcome back John!