COMPLETE A-Z OF MOSSLEY PLAYERS from 1919 to current

* Backhouse to Boslem *

Name
Season
Apps
Gls
Biography Image
Wayne Backhouse
2001/02
1
0
Army
Mossley
Curzon Ashton
Goalkeeper signed from Andover as cover for Rob Hackney made only one appearance in Mossley's last game of the 2011/02 season at Congleton Town..
Previously won representative honours for the army FA.
Released to join Curzon Ashton for the following season.

Alan Bailey
2003/04
25
11

Manchester City
- Macclesfield Town (loan) (10-1)
Stockport County (21-2)
Burton Albion
Marine
Guiseley
Mossley (25-11)
Ashton United
Woodley Sports

Born in Macclesfield on 1st November 1978.
Alan Bailey bagan his playing career as a trainee with Manchester City in 1996.
He had a loan spell with Macclesfield Town in 1999 making 10 appearances and scoring 1 goal. He signed for Stockport County in July 1999 and played 21 first team games scoring 2 goals.
He was released by County in May 2001 and then had spells with Burton Albion (where he won promotion to the Conference), Marine and Guiseley before signing for Jason Beckford's Mossley in August 2003.
Clever attacking player who made 25 appearances for the Lilywhites scoring 11 goals before transferring to Ashton United for the following season.
He later played for Woodley Sports.
A talented musician, after retiring from playing he later turning his hand to acting and film production with some notable success; he co-founded the manchester Film Festival in 2015.


Chris Bailey
1997/98
9
0

Winsford United
Glossop North End
Bramhall
Mossley (9-0)
unknown

 

Former Winsford United and Glossop North End goalkeeper signed by Benny Phillips from Mid Cheshire League side Bramhall FC as cover for the injured Rod Bates.

Graham Bailey
1939/40
4
0
Huddersfield Town
- Mossley (4-0) (wartime guest)
Huddersfield Town (33-0)
Sheffield United (20-0)

Born in Dawley, Shropshire on 22nd March 1920.
Thomas Graham Bailey signed for Huddersfield Town just before the outbreak of WWII and made 4 appearances on loan for Mossley in the wartime season.
Returned to Huddersfield Town after WWII and made 33 appearances and then played 20 games for Sheffield United as a full back.


Mitchell Bailey
2008/09
10
0
Huddersfield Town
Hyde United
Mossley (10-0)
Rossendale United
Bamber Bridge
Clitheroe
Born in Manchester on 31st December 1988,
Mitchell Bailey was a midfielder who began his career as a trainee with Huddersfield Town. Signed by Chris Willcock for Mossley from Hyde United in August 2008.
Made 10 Mossley appearances before being released and then joined Rossendale United.
He later played for Bamber Bridge and Clitheroe.

Ron Bailey
1951/52
1952/53
1953/54
1955/56
70
0
Miles Platting
Mossley (68-0)
unknown
Mossley (2-0)
unknown
Goalkeeper signed by Jack Boothway from Manchester amateur side Miles Platting FC in October 1951.
He was Mossley's first choice keeper for the next two seasons before losing his place to Melvyn Jenkins in the 1953/54 season when he made only 4 appearances.
He returned to make 2 further appearances in the 1955/56 season.

James Baillie
2019/20
4
1
Crewe Alexandra (16-0)
- Nantwich Town (loan)
Curzon Ashton
- Mossley (4-1)
Curzon Ashton
Warrington Town
Born in Warrington 27th Match 1996.
James Baillie began his career with Crewe Alexandra and signed a professional contract with the club in May 2014. He made his Football League debut on 9 August 2014 in a 2–1 defeat away at Fleetwood Town and went to make 16 first team appearances. In March 2016 he joined Nantwich Town on loan and following his release by Crewe at the end of the 2015/16 season he signed for Curzon Ashton. He made 51 appearances for Curzon but missed the whole of the 2018/19 season through injury. Signed for Mossley on dual registration from Curzon in August 2019 making just 4 appearances and scoring one goal before being recalled by Curzon.

John Bain
1969/70
1970/71
1971/72
1972/73
255
9
Bury (11-2)
Altrincham
Mossley (165-7)
Altrincham
Mossley (90-2)
Hyde United
Hyde United (Manager)
Scottish born hard as nails full back who began his career with Bury where he made 11 first team appearances scoring 2 goals.
He was signed for Mossley by Don Wilson from Altrincham in August 1969 and became Mossley's regular right back throughout the next four seasons apart from a brief spell back with Altrincham midway through the 1970/71 season returning to Seel Park in March 1971.
Bain transferred to Hyde United in January 1973 and later became manager at Hyde in 1975.

Andy Baines
1993/94 1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
85
38
Stalybridge Celtic
Runcorn
Stalybridge Celtic
Hyde United
Curzon Ashton
Mossley (15-5)
Ashton United
Mossley (70-33)
Prolific former Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde United striker signed by Dave Denby from Curzon Ashton in November 1993 making 15 appearances and scoring 5 goals before transferring to Ashton United in the closed season.
Re-signed by Kevan Keelan from Ashton United in August 1995 where he then formed an excellent strike partnership with Bernie Hughes, scoring 25 goals in the 1995/96 season but was less prolific thereafter, playing his final Mossley match in August 1997.

Charlie Baker
1939/40 1945/46
4
2
Stalybridge Celtic
Mossley (1-0)
Hurst
Audenshaw United
Mossley (3-2)
Hurst
Locally based amateur inside forward who played briefly for Mossley either side of WWII.
Later had a spell with Hurst.

Eric Baker
1921/22
5
0
unknown
Mossley (5-0)
unknown
Local amateur full back who made 5 Mossley appearances in the 1921/22 season.

Liam Baker
2015/16
8
0
Macclesfield Town
Witton Albion
Winsford United
Droylsden
Winsford United
Mossley (8-0)
Barnton
Born 13th March 1996.
Central defender Liam Baker came through the ranks at Macclesfield Town before being released in the summer of 2014.
He then joined Witton Albion before moving on to Winsford United.
He had a brief spell with Droylsden before rejoining Winsford.
He signed for Mossley in February 2016 making 8 appearances.
Later with Barnton FC.

Jack Ball
1925/26
18
10
Newtown United
Mossley (18-10)
Southport
Chorley
Manchester United (24-11)
Sheffield Wednesday (132-90)
Manchester United (26-7)
Huddersfield Town (5-1)
Luton Town
Excelsior Roubaix (coach)
St Albans City (Manager)
Biggleswade Town (Manager)

Born in Southport on 13th September 1907. Died in Luton 2nd February 1976.
John Thomas Ball signed for Mossley from Welsh club Newtown United in 1925,
He was transferred to Southport in the closed season of 1926 after scoring 10 goals in 18 appearances, including a debut hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Macclesfield on 31st October 1925.
He joined Chorley the following season and In 1929 he was transferred by Chorley to Manchester United and scored 18 goals in 50 appearances in 2 spells at Old Trafford.
Sandwiched between was a three and a half year spell with Sheffield Wednesday (132-90).
Jack Ball stood only 5ft 7in but in his time at Hillsborough he was a goalscoring giant and a great favourite with supporters.
He arrived at Wednesday from Manchester United in the summer of 1930 for a £1,300 fee, and scoring 17 goals in his first 14 games, proved so successful that Jack Allen, the hero of the two previous seasons, was unable to get back into the side.
In his second term with Wednesday, Ball’s tally of 23 goals included eleven from the penalty spot — a feat which remained a League record for some 40 years.
Ball’ s third season was his best, for he bagged 35 League and Cup goals and missed only one League game.
However, following the sudden departure of Bob Brown, new manager Billy Walker almost immediately chose to transfer Ball back to Old Trafford in order to obtain Neil Dewar.
Ball’ s tally of 94 goals for the Owls included a four, three hat-tricks and 12 doubles in the First Division alone.
Often known as ‘ last-minute Ball’ because of his penchant for late goals, he left Hillsborough in late December 1933, moved to Huddersfield Town in September 1934, and after only a month at Leeds Road joined Luton Town, where he played alongside ‘ Ten-Goal’ Joe Payne in the famous game with Bristol Rovers in April 1936.
He had a short spell in France as a coach with Excelsior Roubaix when his playing days were over and briefly managed St Albans City and Biggleswade Town after WWII.


Les Ball
1988/89
2
0
Army
Teignmouth
Mossley (2-0)
St Dominics
Bootle
Former Army player who was signed by Bryan Griffiths from South Western League side Teignmouth.
Made just 2 appearances before being released where he joined Liverpool side St. Dominics FC. He later played for Bootle.

Peter Band
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
49
1
Bollington Athletic
Hyde United
Altrincham
Norrthwich Victoria
Altrincham
Hyde United
New Mills
Woodley Sports
Mossley (49-1)
Mossley (joint Manager)
Glossop North End (joint Manager)
Glossop North End (Manager)
Macclesfield (Assistant Manager)

Born on 18th December 1973.
Peter Band joined Mossley as a player in August 2011 and made 42 appearances for the Lilywhites in the 2011/12 season
As he wound down his playing career he made just 6 appearances in the 2012/13 season and was more often than not named as an unused substitute while honing his management skills as Steve Halford's right hand man.
Band was previously player / assistant manager to Chris Willcock at the former Woodley Sports and then to Halford at Mossley following Gareth MClelland's departure in January of 2012.
As a player, Band was late into the semi pro game having played for Cheshire amateurs Bollington Athletic for several years before joining Hyde United in 1998 at 25 years old.
He started out as a striker but reverted to midfield and was often used as a centre back as well, a position he eventually featured in regularly for his later clubs.
He left a struggling Hyde team to join Altrincham and then stepped up to the Conference with Northwich Victoria.
On Altrincham's promotion to the Conference he switched back to Moss Lane in the summer of 2006, making his 200th appearance for Altrincham in that season.
He re-joined Hyde for his second spell at the club in 2007, quickly making his 200th appearance for them also.
He joined New Mills in the summer of 2008 and then on to Woodley Sports from where he joined Mossley. He was appointed joint team manager at Mossley alongside Lloyd Morrison in August 2013 holding the role for almost 5 years before the pair were sacked in April 2018.
Band along with Lloyd Morrison were appointed as joint mnaagers of Glossop North End in October 2018.


Jack Banister
2021/22
29
6
Widnes
FC United of Manchester
Curzon Ashton
Warrington Town
Widnes
Atherton Collieries
Widnes
Mossley (29-6)

Born 28th August 1995
Talented attacking midfielder Jack Banister was signed from Widnes in September 2021.
Banister began his non league career with Widnes helping them to promotion to the Northern Premier League in the 2017/18 season.
He then spent the 2018/19 season with FC United of Manchester where he scored 7 goals in 38 appearances in National League North before signing for Curzon Ashton in July 2019.
Jack joined Warrington Town on dual registration from Curzon in October 2019 and briefly re-joined Widnes in February 2020. He then signed for Atherton Collieries before re-joining Widnes for a third time in late 2020.


Harry Banks
1957/58
2
0
Oldham Athletic
- Mossley (loan)
Young wing half signed from Oldham Athletic on loan making 2 appearances in the 1957/58 season.

Arnold Banton
1954/55 1955/56
1958/59
43
2
Bolton Wanderers
Ashton United
Dukinfield Town
Stalybridge Celtic
Mossley (27-1)
Altrincham
Mossley (12-0)
Army
Mossley (2-1)
Former Dukinfield Town full back signed as an amateur from Stalybridge Celtic in August 1954 making 27 appearances in the 1954/55 season.
He departed for Altrincham the following season but returned to Mossley in February 1956.
Played again briefly for Mossley following the completion of his National Service in the 1958/59 season.
Much later he managed Mossley FC's ill fated Youth team in the 1974-75 season. The youth team contained his son Geoff who went on to play League football for Plymouth Argyle and Fulham and Alan Walker, son of the former Mossley player of the same name who later played for Bangor City, Telford United and Lincoln City.

Steve Banton
1983/84
5
0
Dukinfield Town
Mossley (5-0)
unknown
Young midfielder signed by Brian Grundy from Dukinfield Town in the closing stages of the disaterous 1983/84 campaign.

Barber
1929/30
1
0
Wellington Town
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Signed from Wellington Town

Harry Barber
1957/58
25
6
Guildford City
Manchester City
Hyde United
Mossley (25-6)
Macclesfield Town
Before joining Macclesfield had played as an amateur for Guildford City and Manchester City, and as a professional for Hyde United where he gained a Cheshire League Challenge Cup Winners’ medal.
Signed for Mossley in 1957 but moved on to Macclesfield Town in February 1958.
Known for his ability as a penalty specialist, he held a unique record for the Cheshire County League scoring 21 goals in a single season from the wing-half position.
At Macclesfield he continued as the club's penalty taker.

John 'Jack' Barber
1923/24
3
1
Chesterfield
Clayton FC
Manchester United (4-2)
- Mossley (loan) (3-1)
Southport
Halifax Town
Rochdale
Stockport County
Bacup Borough
Born in Salford on 8th January 1901. Died on 30th March 1961.
Jack Barber initially played for Chesterfield before signing for Manchester United as an amateur from Clayton FC in October 1923.
He spent 3 games on loan with Mossley in December 1923 scoring one goal.
He made 4 first team appearances for United in the same season scoring 2 goals before being released in May 1924 to join Southport.
He later played for Halifax Town, Rochdale, Stockport County and Bacup Borough.

John Barber
1997/98
4
0
Crewe Alexandra
Rossendale United
Clitheroe
Altrincham
Mossley (4-0)
Maine Road
Young midfield player signed by Benny Phillips from Altrincham in August 1997.
Previously a junior with Crewe Alexandra and had also played for Rossendale United and Clitheroe.
Later played for Maine Road FC.

Chris Bardsley
1995/96
2
0
Blackburn Rovers
Mossley (2-0)
Castleton Gabriels
Young winger signed by Kevan Keelan from Blackburn Rovers in August 1995.
Made only 2 appearances before being released to join Castleton Gabriels in October 1995.

Keith Bardsley
1989/90
1
0
Kirkstyle FC
Mossley (1-0)
Kirkstyle FC
Oldham based amateur winger signed on trial from Sunday football.
Made only one appearance as a substitute in a League Cup win at Rhyl on 16th December 1989.

Les Bardsley
1956/57
6
0
Derry City (Ireland)
Manchester City
Stockport County
Linfield (Ireland)
Bury (200-2)
Mossley (Player Manager) (6-0)
Bristol City (coach)
Bristol City (Caretaker Manager)
Born in Stockport on 18th August 1925. Died in December 2012
Leslie Bardsley signed for Manchester City as a junior in January 1945 and then had a spell with Linfield in Ireland before a £200 transfer fee took him to Bury in April 1948.
He made 200 appearances in six seasons at Bury as a wing half before moving to Barrow where he made 21 appearances in the 1955-56 season.
He was appointed Player-Manager of Mossley in the summer of 1956 after Mossley had run without a manager in the 1955-56 season.
Unfortunately for Mossley he stayed for just six games before the lure of a job as assistant coach at Bristol City left Mossley disappointed and manager-less.
He became a chartered physiotherapist in Bristol in fact the Bardsley Physiotherapy Clinic he established in 1960 is still in existence.
He was head physio for Bristol City from 1956 to 1981.

Ian Barker
1998/99 2000/01
2001/02
89
32
Leigh RMI
Mossley (49-17)
Chorley
Mossley (40-15)
Chorley
Rossendale United
Rangy forward signed by Benny Phillips from Leigh RMI in August 1998 before transferred to Chorley in 1999.
He re-signed from Chorley in 2000 before transferring agin back to Chorley in 2002 having scored 32 goals in 89 Mossley appearances.
Later a long serving player with Rossendale United.

Barlow
1926/27
2
0
unknown
Mossley (2-0)
unknown
Full back who made 2 appearances for Mossley in the 1926/27 season.

Barlow
1938/39
1
0
unknown
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Wing half who made a solitary appearance for Mossley in the 1938/39 season.

Harold Barlow

1951/52
1952/53
1953/54
1954/55
1955/56

187
13
Manchester City
Crewe Alexandra (29-1)
Mossley (187-13)
Born in Gorton on.25th October 1925,
Died 27th September 2014.
Harold Barlow was a former Manchester City wing half who was signed by Jack Boothway from Crewe Alexandra in January 1952 after making 29 appearances scoring one goal for Crewe's first team.
He was Mossley's regular right half for the next four seasons.
Barlow later became a champion Crown Green Bowler captaining Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Paul Barlow
1989/90
1
0
Coldhurst United
Mossley (1-0)
Coldhurst united
Local amateur striker signed on trial from Manchester Leaguers Coldhurst United.
His only Mossley appearance was on 9th December 1989 in a 2-1 League Cup win at Rhyl.

Scott Barlow
2011/12
3
0
Trafford
Chester
Trafford
Mossley (3-0)
Woodley Sports
Trafford
Born on 3rd August 1988.
Described by Chester manager Neil Young as 'the fox in the box.' Scott is a proven prolific goalscorer who hit 99 goals in 172 appearances for Trafford before moving to Chester for a fee in March 2011 season.
Joined Mossley for an undisclosed fee in the close season 2011 but failed to settle in and was soon after transferred to Woodley Sports in a similar 'undisclosed' deal.
Later returned to Trafford

Trevor Barnard
1951/52
5
0
unknown
Mossley (5-0)
Ashton United
Goalkeeper who made 5 appearances in the 1951/52 season covering for the unavailable Ron Bailey.
Later played for Ashton United.

Harry Barnes
1932/33
1933/34
1934/35
1935/36
158
0
Ferranti
Mossley
unknown
Goalkeeper signed from Manchester amateur side Ferranti's.
Mossley's regular keeper for four seasons.

Jack Barnes
1935/36
2
0

unknown
Mossley (2-0)
unknown

 

Local amateur wing half who made 2 appearances for Mossley in the 1935/36 season.

Peter Barnes
1991/92
8
0
Manchester City (115-15)
- England u21 (9-2)
- England (22-4)
West Bromwich Albion (77-23)
Leeds United (30-1)
Real Betis (Spain) (16-1)
Leeds United (27-4)
- Manchester United (loan)
Coventry City (18-2)
Manchester United (20-2)
Manchester City (8-0)
- Bolton Wanderers (loan) (2-0)
- Port Vale (loan) (3-0)
- Wimbledon (loan)
Hull City (11-0)
SC Farense (Portugal) (1-0)
Bolton Wanderers (3-0)
Sunderland (1-0)
- Stockport County (loan)
Footscray JUST (Australia) (2-0)
Bury
Drogheda United (Ireland) (3-0)
Tampa Bay Rowdies (USA) (11-1)
Stafford Rangers
Northwich Victoria
Wrexham
Radcliffe Borough
Mossley (8-0)
Hamrun Spartans (Malta)
SC Farense (Portugal)
Cliftonville (1-0) (Ireland)
- Gibraltar (Manager)
Runcorn (Manager)


Born in Rugeley, Manchester on 10th June 1957.
Son of former Manchester City Wing Half Ken Barnes, he joined his father’s club in July 1972, turning professional in August 1974.
Peter Barnes won England Youth honours and his dazzling displays soon earned him Under-Twenty-one caps and Football League representative honours.
In 1976 he played a large part in Manchester City’s League Cup win and he was named Young Player of the Year.
In November 1977 he won the first of his twenty-two full England caps. He was surprisingly sold to West Bromwich Albion in July 1979 for £650,000, after scoring fifteen goals in one hundred and twenty-three games at Maine Road.
After scoring twenty-three goals in seventy-seven games at the Hawthorns, he was signed by Allan Clarke for Leeds in August 1981 for £930,000.
He never showed his England form and was loaned out to Spanish club, Real Betis, for a one year loan option worth £130,000 in August 1982.
He was back at Leeds, who were now a Second Division club, at the end of the loan period and he was sold to Coventry City for £65,000 in October 1984, after a brief loan spell with Manchester United in May 1984 and Melbourne JUST in April 1984.
He scored twice in eighteen appearances before he left Coventry City and joined Manchester United for £50,000 in July 1985, where he scored twice in twenty appearances, before moving across the City, to his former club in January 1987 for £30,000.
He remained with City until March 1988, although he had loan spells with Bolton Wanderers, where he failed to score in five appearances, and Port Vale, scorelees in three games, when he was transferred to Hull City. He only stayed until the end of the season, making eleven appearances without scoring, before departing for SC Farense in June 1988.
His stay there was also brief and he returned to Bolton Wanderers in November 1988, where his stay was equally brief, joining Sunderland in February 1989 and leaving in June 1989, after just one game.
He saw service with Rodney Marsh’s Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USA and Footscray in Australia before returned to England with Bury, where he did not play a game.
He had trials with a succession of Non-League clubs, including Mossley where he played eight games without scoring, and Northwich Victoria, but failed to impress and returned for a short spell with SC Forense in 1991.
He turned to coaching clinics, part-time football management with Runcorn and TV summarising and pundit work.
He holds the distinction with his father of being the only such related players ever to have both scored a First Division hat-trick.


Bob Barrass
1978/79
6
1
Darwen
Stalybridge Celtic
- Mossley (loan (6-1)
Bob Barrass was a former Darwen central defender signed by Bob Murphy on loan from Stalybridge Celtic in September 1978 to cover for the injured Harry Pollitt.

Barrett
1945/46
5
1
unknown
Mossley (5-1)
unknown
Wing half who made 5 appearances scoring one goal in the first post WWII season.

Robert 'Bob' Barrie
1952/53
4
0
Cowdenbeath
Torquay United
Hyde United
Altrincham
Mossley (4-0)
unknown
Born in Scotland, Bob Barrie was a goalkeeper who played for Cowdenbeath, Torquay United, Hyde United and Altrincham.
He was released by Altrincham at the end of the 1951/52 season after 126 games for the club and then played briefly for Mossley.

Barrow
1932/33
3
3
Carrbrook St James
Mossley (3-3)
unknown
Local amateur centre forward who was signed from Carrbrook St.James FC but wasn't retained despite scoring in each of his three Mossley appearances.

Paul Barrow

1997/98
1998/99
2000-01
2001/02
2002/03

69
1
Cheadle Town
Mossley (19-1)
Witton Albion
Mossley (50-0)
Woodley Sports
Abbey Hey
Hard tackling and mobile left wing back signed by Benny Phillips from Cheadle Town on two seperate occasions.
Transferred to Witton Albion.
Re-signed from Witton Albion.
Later with Woodley Sports and Abbey Hey.

Ryan Barrow
2010/11
2014/15
2016/17
61
1
Manchester United
Bury
Mossley (21-1)
- Mossley (Reserves) (2-0)
Woodley Sports
Winsford United
Mossley (40-0)
Born on 24th September 1991.
Ryan Barrow is right back originally signed in September 2010 following his release by Bury and made 21 appearances scoring one goal in the 2010/11 season.
He was previously a junior with Manchester United.
He later played for Woodley Sports and re-signed for Mossley from Winsford United in the closed season 2014.
After a season out of action with a back injury Barrow returned again to Mossley for the 2016/17 but again suffered a recurrence of the same injury early in the season.

Andrew Barton
1982/83
1
0
unknown
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Lacal player who made a solitary substitute appearance in a 1-1 draw at Southport on 6th October 1982.

Marko Basic
2017/18
11
0
FC Halifax Town
- Mossley (11-0)
FC Halifax Town
Ossett United
Tadcaster Albion
Bradford Park Avenue
Born 7th July 1998.
Teenage midfielder signed on loan from FC Halifax Town in September 2017. He joined Ossett United in the 2019/20 season.

Basnett
1946/47
1
0
unknown
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Made a solitary appearance in the 1946/47 season.

James Bate
1933/34
1934/35
22
4
Altrincham
Mossley (22-4)
unknown
Wing half signed from Altrincham in August 1933.
Made 22 appearances scoring 4 goals over his two seasons with Mossley.

Richard 'Dick' Bate
1977/78
34
5
Alfreton Town
Boston United
Buxton (Player Manager)
Mossley (Player Manager) (34-5)
Frickley Athletic
Sheffield United (Youth Coach)
- NWRFA (Head Coach)
Notts County (Head Coach)
Southend United (Manager)
Lincoln City (Assistant Manager)
Leeds United (Coach)
- Malaysia FA (Technical Director)
Hereford United (Coach)
- England FA (u16-u20 Coach)
- England WFA (Caretaker Manager)
- Canada FA (Technical Director)
Watford (Technical Director)
Cardiff City (Head of Academy)
Burnley (Consultant)


Born 25th June 1946. Died 25th April 2018.
A Sheffield PE teacher at Abbeydale Grange School, Bate spent his early playing career with Alfreton Town before joining Boston United in 1971. It was with the Pilgrims that he began a long association with Howard Wilkinson, captaining the club under Wilkinson's management whilst also securing his UEFA ‘A’ Licence in 1973. Bate moved to Buxton as player-manager in 1975. Meanwhile Wilkinson moved to Mossley in December 1976 as player-manager and when he resigned the following May to work full time for the Football Association he recommended Bate as his successor and Bate was duly appointed player-manager at Seel Park in June 1977. However, despite steering Mossley into the first round of the FA Cup for only the (then) third time in their history, he departed the club following a 2–2 draw with Frickley Athletic on 2 January 1978 which signalled the return to Mossley of the late and legendary Bob Murphy.
Bate then had a spell with Frickley Athletic before he joined Sheffield United as a youth team coach in 1978 before succeeding his mentor Howard Wilkinson as Football Association North West Regional FA, Staff Coach in 1980, a post he held until 1985 when he joined Notts County as chief coach.
In June 1987, Bate was appointed manager of Southend United by the club's chairman Vic Jobson without consulting his fellow board members. His reign lasted just ten games with a solitary victory in the Football League Cup and he departed with the worst record of any Southend manager in history.
Bate moved on to join Lincoln City as assistant manager to Colin Murphy, helping the club regain its Football League status at the end of the 1987–88 season. He moved on to rejoin Wilkinson at Leeds United acting as a coach between 1988 and 1992.
He moved to Malaysia as Technical Director, a role he held from 1992–1995, before joining the coaching staff of Hereford United. In 1998, he became the coach of the England youth set-up working with the U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 teams.
He was caretaker manager of the England women's national football team for a match against Italy in April 1998; between the resignation of Ted Copeland and appointment of Hope Powell.
In September 2005, the appointment of Bate as the Canadian Soccer Association's Technical Director was announced with the role commencing on 14 October 2005. He held the role for ten months before resigning in order to join Watford.
In July 2006, Bate was appointed Technical Director at Watford with the Hornet's then manager Aidy Boothroyd being quoted as saying "I want Watford Football Club to have the best Academy in the world and I believe we have captured the best developer of talent in the world in the shape of Richard."
On 2 November 2012, it was confirmed that Bate was to take on the role of the Head of the youth Academy for Cardiff City, replacing the departing Neal Ardley.
More recently Bate worked with Burnley on a consultancy basis during the clubs redevelopment of the Barnfield Training Centre.

Brian Bates
1960/61
1961/62
82
1
Hyde United
Mossley (82-1)
unknown
Full back who was signed from Hyde United in August 1960 and played regularly through his two seasons with the club.

Rod Bates

1983/84 1992/93
1993/94
1994/95
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01

200
0
Waterloo
Mossley (1-0)
Waterloo
Leek Town
Mossley (199-0)
Ashtonians
Very popular locally based goalkeeper signed on trial from Manchester League side Waterloo in the 1983/84 season when he made just one appearance,
He later played for a lengthy spell with Leek Town and when Mossley re-sgned him under Ged Coyne in September 1992. He cost a £250 fee, but was initially understudy to Any Newell.
He went on to be voted three times Mossley Player of the Year. Rod retired from semi pro football through injury 2001 after making a total of 200 Mossley appearances, but later continued playing for several years for local side Ashtonians.

Fred Battey
1924/25
10
1
Uppermill
Mossley (10-1)
unknown
Amateur centre half signed from Uppermill FC.

Fred Batty
1957/58
1958/59
44
0
Manchester City
Mossley (44-0)
unknown
Goalkeeper signed from Manchester City.

Mike Batty
1966/67
1967/68
1968/69
1969/70
1970/71
1971/72
1972/73
320
20
Manchester City (13-0)
Rhyl
Mossley (320-20)
Born on 10th July 1944.
'Man-mountain' centre half Mike Batty began his career with Manchester City and progressed through City’s youth teams to earn a first team shirt in 1964, making 13 first team appearances before being released at the end of the 1964/65 season on a ’free transfer’.
After a spell with fellow Cheshire League side Rhyl, big Mike joined Don Wilson’s Mossley team early in the 1966-67 season and went on to make 35 appearances in the number 5 shirt that season.
He was restricted to 23 games in the 1967-68 season due to a broken ankle but returned the following season to make 46 appearances.
1969-70 saw Wilson’s team come of age as they finished runners-up in the Cheshire League to Skelmersdale United and Mike had his best season to date being best remembered for scoring the equalising goal which brought Stockport County back to Seel Park for an FA Cup replay in November 1969.
Mike played 55 times for Mossley that season and 47 in the 1970-71 season.
He was still ’holding the fortress’ in Mossley’s last Cheshire League season in 1971-72 and made 57 appearances and was still a regular in the team as Mossley stepped bravely into the Northern Premier League for the1972-73 season.
When Don Wilson resigned November 1972 his replacement George Sievwright was evidently less than a fan of the big man and surprisingly released him at the end of the season.
Batty made his final Mossley appearance in a 1-0 win at Goole Town on the closing day of the 1972/73 season and ironically scored the winning goal.
Batty retired from football in disillusionment at that moment and never played again, preferring instead to concentrate on a blossoming cricket career that saw him play to a high club standard for many years in the Central Lancashire League.
He was a big hit with the Mossley fans and was a fearsome sight for opposing centre forwards. Never the quickest of players he made up for his lack of pace with great vision and solidity in the heart of the Mossley defence.
Mike Batty made a total of 320 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring 20 goals.

Billy Baynham
1932/33
1933/34
66
27
Stalybridge Celtic
Runcorn
Tranmere Rovers
Mossley (66-27)
Sheffield Wednesday
Hurst
Former Stalybridge Celtic and Runcorn winger signed from Sandbach Ramblers.
Transferred to Sheffield Wednesday but never made the first team at Hillsbrough.
Also played for Hurst.

Kayleme Baxter
2009/10
1
0
Gregorians
Mossley (1-0)
Alsager Town
Gregorians
Young striker signed on trial from Gregorians FC.
Made just one Mossley appearance as a substitute.

John Bazley
1964/65
1965/66
1966/67
86
11
Bangor City
Oldham Athletic (130-9)
Worcester City
Macclesfield Town
Mossley (86-11)
Stafford Rangers
Born in Runcorn on 4th October 1936.
Former Bangor City, Oldham Athletic (130-9) and Worcester City winger signed from Macclesfield Town.
Transferred to Stafford Rangers.

Beardmore
1945/46
1
0
unknown
Mossley
unknown
Made a solitary appearance for Mossley in the first post WWII season.

Alan Beaumont
1956/57
3
0
South Liverpool
Chester (5-0)
New Brighton
Mossley (3-0)
unknown
Born on 9th January 1927. Died 1999.
Alan Baeumont was a full back previously with South Liverpool, Chester (5-0) and New Brighton.

Peter Beaumont
1985/86
1986/87
1987/88
1988/89
161
6
Radcliffe Borough
Mossley (161-6)
- Mossley (Reserves) (2-3)
Radcliffe Borough
Hard grafting and skilful central midfielder signed by Jimmy O'Connor from Radcliffe Borough in August 1985 and a regular in the Mossley team for three seasons.
Transferred to Radcliffe Borough in September 1988.

Billy Beckett
1948/49
25
7
Litherland
New Brighton (25-4)
Tranmere Rovers
South Liverpool
Blackpool
Bradford City (5-1)
Watford (7-1)
Northampton Town
Mossley (25-7)
unknown
Born in Kirkdale on 4th July 1915. Died 1999.
William Beckett was a former Litherland, New Brighton (25-4), Tranmere Rovers, South Liverpool, Blackpool, Bradford City (5-1), Watford (7-1) and Northampton Town winger who scored 7 goals in 25 appearances for Mossley in the 1948/49 season..

Mike Beckett
1984/85
4
0
Bolton Wanderers
Buxton
Stafford Rangers
Mossley (4-0)
Horwich RMI
Former Bolton Wanderers and Buxton full back signed by Brian Grundy from Stafford Rangers in September 1984.
Made just 4 Mossley appearances before he was transferred to Horwich RMI.

Derek Beddows
1954/55
1
1
Mossley Amateurs
Mossley (1-1)
Mossley Amateurs
Signed from Mossley Amateurs on trial. Scored on his only Mossley appearance, a 3-2 win at Wellington Town on 28th August 1954.

Alan Beech
1972/73
1
0
Gorton Amateurs
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Right back who was signed on trial from Gorton Amateurs at the end of the 1972/73 season.
Made only 1 Mossley appearance in a Manchester Senior Cup tie against Radcliffe Borough on 7th May 1973.

Harry Belcher
1937/38
1938/39
1939/40
71
6
Hyde United
Mossley (71-6)
unknown
Wing half signed by Sam Cowan from Hyde United in August 1937.
He was a regular in the team in his first season making 46 appearances and scoring 4 goals.
He made only 7 appearances the following season and 18 appearances in the Wartime season of 1939/40 scoring 2 goals.

Billy Bell
1975/76
45
1
Oldham Athletic
Ashton United
Droylsden
Hyde United
Rochdale (6-0)
Mossley (45-1)
Buxton
Prestwich Heys
Born in Manchester on 16th June 1953.
William Bell began his career as a trainee with Oldham Athletic before playing for Ashton United, Droylsden and Hyde United.
He was a volatile but talented hard man full back signed for Mossley by Bob Murphy in September 1975 having made 6 first team appearances for Rochdale in the previous season.
After playing regularly through the season he was sacked by Mossley following his sending off in the 1976 Northern Premier League Cup final against Boston United.
Later with Buxton and Prestwich Heys.

Fred Bell
1933/34
14
1
Church of The Saviour FC
Clayton Institute
Blackburn Rovers
Southport
Lancaster Town
Great Harwood
Clitheroe
Stalybridge Celtic
Mossley (14-1)
Leyland Motors
Born in Blackburn on 29th September 1901. Died 2nd August 1978.
Frederick Bell played for Church of the Saviour FC; Clayton Church Institute FC, (whilst also assisting Blackburn Rovers `A'); Southport, Lancaster Town, Great Harwood and Clitheroe.
Signed for Mossley from Stalybridge Celtic in 1933.
He later gave good service to Leyland Motors for a number of seasons, chiefly as a half-back.
He played football till he was 42 and even turned down a request from Clitheroe when 49.
He worked at Leyland Motors until his retirement aged 65 .

Graham Bell
1987/88
1988/89 1991/92
110
7
Chadderton
Oldham Athletic (170-9)
- Denver Dynamoes (17-1)
Preston North End (143-9)
Carlisle United (14-0)
Bolton Wanderers (92-3)
Tranmere Rovers (42-4)
Hyde United
Mossley (83-6)
Hyde United
Mossley (27-1)
Horwich RMI

Born in Middleton, Manchester on 30th March 1955
Graham Thomas Bell is the son of former Oldham Athletic, Stockport County, Halifax Town and Mossley wing half Tommy Bell.
Graham began his playing career with Chadderton before being signed by Oldham Athletic in December 1973.
He quickly established himself as a lively attacking midfielder with good vision and he went on to make 170 appearances scoring 9 goals.
During his first season in professional football Graham's performances caught the eye of England manager Don Revie, who placed him on standby for the full England squad.
He was transferred to Preston North End in March 1979 for a £80,000 fee and he made 143 appearances for the Deepdale club before being given a free transfer in 1983.
Then followed a short spell with Carlisle United (14-0) before a move to Bolton Wanderers where he made 92 appearances scoring 3 goals and his Football League career ended with a 42 game spell at Tranmere Rovers in the 1986-87 season.
He then signed for Hyde United and arrived at Mossley as player-assistant manager to his former Oldham team-mate Keith Hicks in January 1988, being signed in exchange for popular Mossley players Joe Connor and Walter Nisbett. A very unpopular move with the Mossley fans!
When Hicks departed in September 1988 Bell was made Caretaker-Manager and applied for the job. However, form had not improved in seven games in charge but he remained as a player following the appointment of Bryan Griffiths in October 1988.
He rejoined Hicks at Hyde at the end of the 1988-89 season after winning a League Cup winners medal with Mossley and having made 83 appearances scoring 6 goals.
Bell returned to Mossley in the 1991-92 season under Les Sutton's management and made a further 27 appearances scoring 1 goal, finally rounding off his playing carteer with a spell at Horwich RMI.
Bell made a total 110 appearances for the Lilywhites in two spells scoring 7 goals.
Graham Bell features amongst both 'The Legends of Oldham Athletic' and 'The 100 Greatest Preston North End Post War Players'.


Harold Bell
1924/25
1928/29
7
1
Mossley West Lads
Mossley (5-0)
Mossley West Lads
Mottram Amateurs
Mossley (2-1)
Mottram Amateurs
Signed from Mossley West Lads in 1924.
A prolific scorer in junior football he re-signed from Mottram Amateurs in 1928.
His father Alderman AE Bell JP was Mossley AFC Chairman in the early 1930's.

Tommy Bell
1946/47 1958/59
63
0
Glossop
Mossley (16-0)
Oldham Athletic (170-0)
Stockport County (31-0)
Halifax Town (117-1)
Chorley
Mossley (47-0)
Ashton United
Born in Oldham on 30th December 1923. Died in Chadderton 21st November 1988.
Thomas Bell signed for Mossley from Glossop in 1946 as a right full back.
Bell made a big impact at Mossley and was transferred to Oldham Athletic at the end of the 1946/47 season for a then club record £550 fee.
He went on to make 170 first team appearances for the Latics and then played for Stockport County (31-0) , Halifax Town (117-1) and Chorley before re-signing for Mossley in the 1958/59 season.
In his final season, 1959/60, he was appointed team captain of Ashton United.
He was the father of later Mossley player Graham Bell.

Willie Bell
1993/94
1
2
Manchester City
Chester
Altrincham
Droylsden
Mossley (1-2)
Winsford United
Flixton
Trafford
Signed from Droylsden but made only a solitary appearance scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Goole Town on 28th September 1993.
Departed for Winsford United and later played for Flixton and Trafford.
He previously played for Manchester City, Chester and Altrincham.

Joel Bembo-Leta
2009/10
1
0
Altrincham
FC United of Manchester
Stalybridge Celtic
- Mossley (loan) (1-0)
Colwyn Bay
Marine
Buxton
Altrincham
Bangor City
Ramsbottom United
Cefn Druids
Ashton United
Wythenshawe Town
Born in Congo on 15th February 1992.
Powerfully built teenager signed in March 2010 on loan from Stalybridge Celtic but made only a solitary substitute appearance for Mossley.
Equally at home in central defence or attack.
He later established himself in the Stalybridge first team making 118 appearances for the Celts. Later with Colwyn Bay, Marine, Bangor City and Ramsbottom United.

Javan Benjamin
2016/17
12
0
Yorkshire Amateur
Thackley
Garforth Town
Wakefield
Salford City
Garforth Town
Liversedge
Mossley (12-0)
Liversedge
Born in Leeds 6th July 1991.
Javan is a skilful and tidy midfield player signed from Liversedge FC in the closed season of 2016.
He was previously with Yorkshire Amateur, Thackley, Garforth Town, Wakefield, Salford City and Garforth Town.

Arthur Bennett
1926/27
4
0
unknown
Mossley (4-0)
unknown
Full back who made 4 appearances for Mossley in the 1926/27 season.

Frank Bennett
1925/26
1926/27
1927/28
69
0
unknown
Mossley (69-0)
unknown
Born in 1904. Died 1979.
Francis Bradbury Bennett signed for Mossley as a centre half or full back in August 1925 and made 41 appearances that season having made his Mossley debut v Ellesmere Port on 29th August 1925.
The following season 1926/27 he made 25 appearances and in 1926/27 he played on only 3 occasions.
His final Mossley appearance was away to Nantwich on 3rd September 1927.
A total of 69 appearances but didn't score any goals (not uncommon for a defender in those days).

James Bennett
1952/53
5
0
Stalybridge Celtic
Ellesmere Port Town
Ashton United
Mossley (5-0)
unknown
Former Stalybridge Celtic and Ellesmere Port Town goalkeeper signed from Ashton United to deputise for the unavailable Ron Bailey.

John Bennett
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
132
6
Altrincham
Winsford United
Mossley (70-5)
Curzon Ashton
Mossley (62-1)
Northwich Victoria
Born on 26th September 1991.
John Bennett is a versatile midfield player or left back with came through Altrincham's successful youth system before spending the 2012/13 season with Winsford United.
He signed for Mossley in the closed season of 2013 after turning down a a move to Conference North side Vauxhall Motors.
He was Mossleyweb Player of the Year in 2013/14 and Managers Player of the Year in 2014/15. He briefly joined Curzon Ashton in August 2015 but returned to Mossley early in the season. Transferred to Northwich Victoria in January 2017.

Richard Bennett
2010/11
2013/14
23
8
Oldham Athletic
Springhead
Mossley (1-0)
Curzon Ashton
Mossley (22-8)
Northwich Victoria
Barrow
Carlisle United (59-10)
- Morecambe (loan) (16-5)
Port Vale (26-6)
Stockport County
- Hartlepool United (loan)
Sutton United (38-6)
Born Oldham on 3rd March 1991.
Richard Bennett is a tall and skilful centre forward signed in November 2013 from Curzon Ashton and scored 8 goals in 22 Mossley appearances in the 2013/14 season.
Moved to Ashton United in the closed season of 2014.
He began his career as a junior with Oldham Athletic and then played for Springhead FC in the Manchester League. He had previously made one appearance on trial with Mossley from Springhead in the 2010/11 season.
Later with Northwich Victoria and then Barrow before being snapped up by Carlisle United in 2016 scoring 8 goals in 47 appearances for the League One club in the 2017/18 season.
A move to Port Vale followed in 2019 before he joined Stockport County in March 2020.

Benstead
1950/51
1
0
Royal George FC
Mossley (1-0)
Royal George FC
Signed on trial from Royal George FC making a solitary appearance in the 1950/51 season.

Bentley
1932/33
1933/34
4
0
unknown
Mossley (4-0)
unknown
Wing half who made 4 Mossley appearances spread over two seasons between 1932 and 1934.

Dave Bentley
1994/95
8
0
Leeds United
Whitkirk Wanderers
Mossley (8-0)
unknown
Signed from West Yorkshire League side Whitkirk Wanderers during Richard Dawson's disappointing tenure in 1994.
Previously a trainee with Leeds United.

Steve Bentley
1990/91
20
1
Colne Dynamoes
Mossley (20-1)
Salford City
Central defender signed by Mark Hilton from Colne Dynamoes but made only 20 appearances before moving to Salford City.
Later became a NWCL referee

Matthew Berkeley
2008/09
4
0
Gretna (15-2)
- Workington (loan)
Altrincham
Workington
- St Kitts & Nevis (full International)
Droylsden
Leigh Genesis
Mossley (4-0)
Hyde United
The New Saints
Workington
Colwyn Bay
Droylsden
Stafford Rangers

Born on 3rd August 1987.
Matthew Berkeley began his career with Gretna making 15 appearances and scoring 2 goals as the now disbanded border side gained promotion to the Scottish 1st Division and spent 9 games on loan at Conference North side Workington in 2006.
He returned to Gretna to help their Scottish Cup campaign. He was released by Gretna in 2007 and joined Altrincham.
In October 2007 he re-signed for Workington. Whilst with Workington the frontman was called up to the St Kitts & Nevis first team to take part in their World Cup qualifier against Belize, having already been capped at under 20 level.
He moved to Droylsden in June 2008 but a month later he joined the now troubled Leigh Genesis from where he joined Mossley in November 2008.
Transferred to Hyde United but then soon joined The New Saints (Wales).
Later returned to Hyde before spells with Workington, Colwyn Bay, Droylsden and Stafford Rangers.


Berry
1930/31
1
0
McMahon's
Mossley (1-0)
McMahon's
Amateur full back signed on trial from Manchester Amateur club McMahons FC.
Made a solitary appearance in the 1930/31 season.

Laurence Berry
1945/46
12
0
unknown
Mossley (12-0)
unknown
Local amateur wing half who made 12 appearances for Mossley in the first post WWII season.

Tom Beswick
1936/37
30
13
Congleton Town
Mossley (30-13)
unknown
Centre forward who was signed from Congleton Town in the 1936/37 season.
Scored 13 goals in 30 appearances for Mossley.

Richard Bevan
1995/96
1996/97
32
0
Plymouth Argyle
Stalybridge Celtic
Mossley (32-0)
Curzon Ashton
Buxton
Leek Town
Buxton
Eastwood Town
Began his career with Plymouth Argyle and was signed from Stalybridge Celtic.
After a brief spell with Curzon Ashton he moved to Buxton. Later with Leek Town before returning to Buxton for whom he made nearly 150 appearancesbefore moving to Eastwood Town.

Andreas Bianga
2021/22
10
0
Burnley
Droylsden
Curzon Ashton
Clitheroe
Droylsden
Stockport Town
Ashton United
- Mossley (loan)

Born in DR Congo on 3rd December 1996.
Roving midfielder Andreas Bianga was signed in February 2022 from neighbours Ashton United.
He previously played for Droylsden, Curzon Ashton, Clitheroe and Stockport Town having begun as a trainee at Burnley.


Richard Bibby
1995/96
12
0
Horwich RMI
Mossley (12-0)
Flixton
Colne
Flixton
Goalkeeper signed from Horwich RMI in August 1995.
Kept 5 successive clean sheets in just 12 games for Mossley at the start of the 1995/96 season under Kevan Keelan but lost his place to Rod Bates and was transferred to Flixton.
He had a later spell with with Colne and then returned to Flixton as a player and later became club Chairman while still continuing his goalkeeping career.

Harry Bickerton
1912/13
1913/14
1914/15

1920/21
1921/22
1922/23
48
0
unknown
Mossley (pre WW1)
Mossley (48-0)
Hurst
Locally based centre half who appearaed regularly for Mossley in the Ashton & District League prior to the 1st World War.
Re-signed in 1920 and played 48 games in three seasons for Mossley in the Cheshire League. Also played for Hurst

Ken Bill
1950/51
1
0
unknown
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Locally based full back who made a solitary Mossley appearance in the 1950/51 season.

Anthony Bingham
2005/06
2006/07
21
6
Bradford Park Avenue
Altrincham
Northwich Victoria
Mossley (21-6)
Buxton
Striker signed from Northwich Victoria who unfortunatley broke a leg after making only 5 very promising appearances.
Began his career with Bradford Park Avenue and also had a spell with Altrincham .
Transferred to Buxton in September 2006.
Later played American Football in Germany and then signed professional Rugby League forms for Oldham in 2008.

Binns
1953/54
1
0
unknown
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Trialist winger who made a solitary Mossley appearance in the 1953/54 season.

Brian Birch
1962/63
5
0
Manchester United (11-4)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-1)
Lincoln City (56-15)
Boston United
Barrow (60-27)
Exeter City (19-1)
Oldham Athletic (65-10)
Rochdale (11-0)
Boston United
Mossley (5-0)
Blackburn Rovers (Youth Coach)
Galatasaray (Turkey) (Head Coach)
Ethnikos Piraeus (Greece) (Head Coach)
Helsingborg (Sweden) (Head Coach)
Galatasaray (Turkey) (Head Coach)
Ankaragücü (Turkey) (Head Coach)

Born on 18th November 1931 in Salford, Lancashire; died in South Africa.
Brian Birch joined Manchester United as a 14-year-old in May 1946, before turning professional two years later. He was 17 when he made his debut on 27 August 1949, playing at inside left in a 1–1 home draw with West Bromwich Albion.
Birch was always on the fringes of the United first team, but apart from a spell midway through the 1950–51 season in which he scored four goals in nine appearances, he never lived up to his potential and was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £10,000 towards the end of the 1951–52 season.
His tenure at Wolves was short, however, and he was transferred to Lincoln City after just nine months in the West Midlands.
In three years with Lincoln, Birch played in more than fifty matches, scoring 15 goals.
He then dropped out of league football for a season in 1955, joining Boston United, before moving to Barrow in 1956.
He became a first team regular at Barrow, making 60 appearances and scoring 27 goals in just over two seasons there.
Exeter City signed him in September 1958, but he was on the move again in January 1960, this time to Oldham Athletic.
He moved to Rochdale in March 1961, before going into coaching at the end of the 1961–62 season.
He dipped in and out of playing for the next few years, picking up appearances for Boston United, Mossley and Ellesmere Port, but his coaching experience eventually led him to Blackburn Rovers in 1967, where he became the coach to one of the club's junior teams.
Birch was trainer of Galatasaray from 1971 till 1973. He won two consecutive championships with Galatasaray in Turkish First League and Helsingborgs IF.
In the summer of 1980 he returned to Galatasaray and he managed the turkish club MKE Ankaragücü SK in 1987.


Jimmy Birch
1990/01 1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00
206
14
Manchester United
Oldham Athletic
Stalybridge Celtic
Altrincham
Droylsden
Mossley (17-0)
Curzon Ashton
Leigh RMI
Mossley (189-14)
Former Stalybridge Celtic and Altrincham attacking left back played for both Manchester United and Oldham Athletic as a junior before joining Stalybridge Celtic, with whom he won a North West Counties League championship medal in 1986/87.
He had a week's trial at League champions Everton earlier this season before joining Altrincham in October 1987.
Signed for Mossley from Droylsden in October 1990 but was transferred to Curzon Ashton early in 1991.
Re-signed from Leigh RMI ny Kevan Keelan in 1996 and later became team captain.
Retired May 2000 after making over 200 appearances for Mossley.

Walter Birch
1939/40
7
0
Huddersfield Town
- Mossley (7-0) (wartime guest)
- Oldham Athletic (wartime guest)
- Leeds United (wartime guest)
Huddersfield Town
Rochdale (243-10)
Born in Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire on 5th October 1917, Died 1991.
Walter Birch had just signed professional forms with First Division Huddersfield Town in May 1939 when the Second World War brought his Football League career at Leeds Road to an end. He guested for several clubs during the Second World War, making seven guest appearances for Mossley in the 1939-40 season. He also played one game for Huddersfield Town in that same season as well as five games in the 1943-44 season. In the 1944-45 season he played six games for Oldham Athletic and one with Leeds United as a war-time guest and it was more than likely due to them being short of a Right-Back at kick-off time as they looked to fulfil the fixture at Leeds Road in December 1944, which ended with the home team winning by 4-2.
Just before his move from Huddersfield to Rochdale in March 1946, he played eleven games for the Dale in the 1945-46 season and just as in all World War Two games that he played, he didn't score.
So, he never did play a Football League game for the Terriers and moved to Third Division North Rochdale.
He became their regular Centre Half and in his seven seasons there he clocked up 243 League games and scored 10 goals.
He was the specialist penalty-taker and all but one of his League goals came from the spot.
In the F.A. Cup he scored twice, one being from the spot and made fourteen appearances. Birch retired at the end of the 1952-53 season.

Joe Birchenough
1936/37
2
0
unknown
Mossley (2-0)
unknown
Full back who made 2 appearances for Mossley in the 1936/37 season.

Ronnie Birkett
1950/51
6
0
Manchester City
New Brighton 8-0)
Oldham Athletic (4-0)
Accrington Stanley (14-2)
Mossley (6-0)
unknown
Born in Salford on 25th July 1927. Died 1992.
Roanald Birkett was a former Manchester City, New Brighton (8-0) and Oldham Athletic (4-0) winger signed from Accrington Stanley (14-2) making 6 Mossley appearances in the 1950/51 season.

Murray Birnie
1958/59
1959/60
42
18
Bury
Mossley (42-18)
unknown
Born in 1939. Died in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2005.
Murray Birnie was signed by Eddie Quigley from Bury in August 1958.
He scored 18 goals in 42 Mossley appearances over two seasons.
Hugely active in local cricket he later became vice Chairman of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Fred Birtles
1933/34
1934/35
71
27
Crewe Alexandra (27-9)
Hartlepools United (15-6)
Crewe Alexandra (52-13)
Chester (35-16)
Altrincham
Stalybridge Celtic
Mossley (71-27)
Born in Stockport on 5th April 1905. Died:unknown.
Frederick Birtles was an inside left, who started with Crewe Alexandra. He played for them in 1922/23 to 1924/25 (27 games 9 goals), then moved to Hartlepools United in 1925/26 (15 games 6 goals), before going back to Crewe for 1926/27 and 27/28 (52 games, 13 goals).
He next joined Chester -1928/29 (35-16), before arriving at Altrincham for 1929/30 to 1932/33. After this he joined Stalybridge Celtic, then signed for Mossley at the tail end of his career in August 1933 and went on to score 27 goals in 71 appearances in his two seasons at Seel Park.

Bruce Birtwistle
1965/66
1966/67
1967/68
1968/69
1969/70
1970/71
1971/72
1972/73
296
165
Carlisle United
Mossley (296-165)
Wigan Athletic
Macclesfield Town
Born in Oswaldtwistle on 6th September 1943.
Of slight build but extremely quick, prolific goalscorer Bruce Birtwistle was signed by Don Wilson after a spell as a junior with Carlisle United.
He was still a teenager when he made his first Mossley appearances late in the 1965/66 season.
Averaging a goal every other game through his time at Mossley he was surprsiningly transferred to Wigan Athletic for a £200 fee in the summer of 1973 by Wilson's successor George Sievwright.
This after finishing top scorer in Mossley's first Northern Premier league season of 1972/73. Bruce later had a spell with Macclesfield Town.
Twin brother of then Mossley team-mate Gordon Birtwistle, Bruce was noted for his lightning pace and was regularly top goalscorer in his time at Mossley.

Gordon Birtwistle
1965/66
1966/67
1967/68
1968/69
1969/70
1970/71
1971/72
149
42
Blackburn Rovers
Mossley (134-38)
Skelmersdale United
Mossley (15-4)
Born in Oswaldtwistle on 6th September 1943.
Died 5th January 2021
Signed by Don Wilson from Blackburn Rovers, Gordon Birtwistle was a talented goalscoring right winger who's time at Mossley was hampered by injury.
Twin brother of team-mate Bruce Birtwistle, Gordon was transferred to Skelmersdale United in the 1970/71 season but returned to Mossley a few months later.
Gordon retired through injury 1972.

Jack Birtwistle
1927/28
1
0
Manchester North End
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Full back signed from Manchester North End making only one appearance in the 1927/28 season.

Ken Birtwistle
1957/58
1
0
unknown
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Trialist who made only a solitary Mossley appearance in the 1957/58 season.
Ken is the older brother of twins Bruce and Gordon Birtwistle.

Tommy Blackhurst
1945/46
1946/47
1947/48
1948/49
44
22
unknown
Mossley (30-13)
Stalybridge Celtic
Ashton United
Mossley (14-9)
Droylsden
Goalscoring inside forward who signed for Mossley after WWII.
Transferred to Stalybridge Celtic in September 1946 and played for Ashton United before returning to Mossley in the 1947/48 season.
He later played for Droylsden.

John Blackley
1925/26
3
0
unknown
Mossley (3-0)
unknown
Wing half who made 3 appearances for Mossley in the 1925/26 season.

Lee Blackshaw
2002/03
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
141
27
Mossley Juniors
Ashton United
Mossley (2-0)
Glossop North End
Mossley (139-27)
- Mossley (Reserves) (2-1)
Woodley Sports
Curzon Ashton
Glossop North End

Born on.24th November 1982.
Very skilful attacking midfielder or forward who returned to Mossley in September 2009 after a brief spell with Glossop North End.
A former Mossley Juniors player also served Ashton United and had an earlier spell at Glossop where he was named NWCL Player of the Year in 2006/07.
Transferred to Woodley Sports and then followed former Mossley manager John Flanagan to Curzon Ashton in the close season of 2011.
Returned to Glossop North End in 2013.
Retired from playing in 2015.


Ricky Blackwell
1987/88
3
0
Grove United
Mossley (3-0)
- Mossley (Reserves) (2-1)
Grove United
Midfield player signed by John Sainty from Mid Cheshire League side Grove United but he made only 3 appearances early in the 1987/88 season.

James Blair
2013/14
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
36
2
Styal
Flixton
Winsford United
Mossley (18-1)
Congleton Town
Mossley (18-1)
Winsford United
1874 Norhwich
Born on 2nd March 1990.
James is a versatile defender who was signed from Winsford United in the closed season of 2013. He was previously with Styal FC and Flixton.
Missed the whole of the 2014/15 through injury before joining Congletion Town in August 2016. He re-signed for Mossley in November 2016 from Congleton Town but again spent a lengthy spell sidelined through injury.

Bernard Blake
1934/35
1935/36
59
0
Woodhouse Brunswick
Hurst
Mossley (59-0)
unknown
Full back who began with Woodhouse Brunswick FC and was signed from Hurst in 1934.

David Blakeman
1983/84
5
0
Curzon Ashton
Mossley (5-0)
Chadderton
Ashton United
Chadderton
Curzon Ashton
Centre forward who scored prolifically for Curzon Ashton but failed badly in his spell at Mossley. Later with Chadderton

Peter Blease
1959/60
1
0
Bennchill
Ashton United
Hyde United
Mossley (1-0)
Ashton United
Earlestown
Hyde United
Droylsden
Prolific goalscorer signed from Altrincham.
Previously with Benchill, Ashton United and Hyde United but made only one Mossley appearance before re-signing for Ashton United where he went on to score 63 goals in 95 appearances.
Later with Earlestown, Hyde United and Droylsden.

Blinkho
1951/52
3
1
unknown
Mossley (3-1)
unknown
Inside forward who made 3 appearances scoring one goal for Mossley in December 1951.

Robert 'Bobby' Blood
1929/30
17
6
Buxton
Buxton Lime Farms
Leek Alexandra
7th Sherwood Foresters
Leek United
Port Vale (53-44)
West Bromwich Albion (53-26)
Stockport County (42-15)
Winsford United
Mossley (17-6)
Buxton
Ashton National

Born in Buxton on 18th March 1894, Died in Harpur Hill on 12th August 1988.
Robert 'Bobby' Blood was a centre-forward, noted for his powerful strikes.
Blood played for Buxton, Buxton Lime Farms, Leek Alexandra, 7th Sherwood Foresters and Leek United before signing for Port Vale for a £50 fee in November 1919 after impressing at a 1918 trial.
During the First World War he suffered a hole in his right leg, as well as having one leg shorter than the other, despite this he continued his footballing career.
In the 1919–20 he finished as Port Vale top scorer with 26 goals, and also in the 1920/21 season with 20 goals. West Bromwich Albion signed him in February 1921 for £4,000.
He later played for Stockport County, Winsford United, Mossley (where he scored 6 goals in 17 appearances for the Lilywhites), Buxton and Ashton National.


Darren Blore
1999/00
3
0
Manchester City
Salford City
Mossley (3-0)
Salford City
Ramsbottom United
Maine Road
Congleton Town
Trafford
Glossop North End
Former Manchester City junior signed from Salford City, transferred to Salford City.
Later with Ramsbottom United, Maine Road, Congleton Town, Trafford and Glossop North End.


Dave Blow
1991/92
1992/93
1993/94
1994/95
109
0
Oldham Athletic
Bury
Horwich RMI
Hyde United
Flixton
Radcliffe Borough
Mossley (109-0)
Droylsden
Glossop North End
Woodley Sports (Asstnt Manager)
Glossop North End (Asstnt Manager)
Born in Manchester in 1965.
Solid and reliable defender or midfielder signed from Radcliffe Borough.
Previously with Oldham Athletic as a junior, Bury, Horwich RMI, Hyde United and Flixton. Transferred to Droylsden.
Later played for Glossop North End and was then assistant manager of Woodley Sports and later Glossop North End.

Blower
1949/50
1950/51
18
6
Manchester CIty
Mossley (18-6)
unknown
Young inside forward signed from Manchester City who scored 6 goals in 18 Mossley appearances.

Boardman
1932/33
1
0
unknown
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Wing half who made a solitary appearance in the 1932/33 season.

Dave Boardman
2007/08
14
2
Ossett Town
Ossett Albion
Mossley (14-2)
Liversedge
Ossett Town
Wakefield

Midfield player signed by Gerry Quinn from Ossett Albion in January 2008.
Previously with Ossett Town. Later with Liversedge, Ossett Town and Wakefield.


James T. Boff
1919/20
1920/21
26
3
Tranmere Rovers
Mossley (26-3)
unknown
Signed from Tranmere Rovers. Mossley's first ever professional signing who made 19 appearances scoring one goal in Mossley's first Cheshire League season of 1919/20.

Tony Bolger
1983/84
2
0
unknown
Mossley
Ashton United
Trialist who made 2 Mossley appearances as a substitute early in the 1983/84 season.

Paul Bolton
1989/90
1
0
Blackburn Rovers
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Signed by Bryan Griffiths on trial from Blackburn Rovers.
Made a solitary appearance at right back in a minor cup game against Fleetwood Town in October 1989.

Don Booth
1965/66
1966/67
1967/68
1970/71
78
0
Droylsden
Mossley (73-0)
Droylsden
Mossley (95-0)
Goalkeeper who was signed by Don Wilson from Droylsden in August 1965.
Booth was Mossley's regular custodian through two seasons before losing his place to Wyn Dicken.
Returning to Droylsden he then retired in 1969. Came out of retirement to help Mossley in the 1970/71 season following Gary Pierce's transfer to Huddersfield Town in February 1971 and made a further 5 appearances up to the signing of John Godfrey in March 1971.

Nick Boothby
2008/09
2009/10
52
3
Northwich Victoria
Kidsgrove Athletic
Chorley
Winsford United
Woodley Sports
Mossley (52-3)
Woodley Sports
Central Defender signed from Woodley Sports in July 2008.
Previously played for Northwich Victoria, Kidsgrove Athletic, Chorley and Winsford United. Mossleyweb Player of the Year 2008/09.
Returned to Woodley Sports in the close season 2010.

James Boothroyd
1946/47
41
0
unknown
Mossley (41-0)
unknown
Goalkeeper who was Mossley's regular custodian in the 1946/47 season but wasn't retained for the following season.

Jack Boothway

1938/39
1939/40
1950/51
1951/52
1952/53

131
85
Rusholme
Sedgeley Park
Mossley (29-26)
Manchester City
Crewe Alexandra
Wrexham (95-55)
Mossley (16-14)
Mossley (Player Manager) (86-45)
Northwich Victoria (Manager)
Runcorn (Manager)

Born in Manchester on 4th February 1919. Died 1979.
John Boothway was a rugged all action centre forward he was spotted by Mossley playing for amateur sides Rusholme and Sedgeley Park and in 1938 was invited to Seel Park for a trial by manager Robbie Bruce.
He did well and impressed making 8 appearances scoring 4 goals in the 1938-39 season. The following season was interrupted by the War but Boothway still managed to score 22 goals in just 21 appearances.
During the War Boothway had a spell with Manchester City having signed for them in July 1941 but he moved to Crewe Alexandra and scored 5 goals in 11 appearances for them at the beginning of the 1946-47 season.
He was transferred to Wrexham and in three seasons at the Racecourse Ground he netted 55 goals in 95 appearances. In February 1951 Boothway returned to Mossley and helped to lift the side off the bottom of the League with 14 goals in only 16 appearances and following Alan Fletcher's departure in May 1951 Boothway was appointed Player-Manager.
Mossley had a much improved first season under Boothway finishing 7th in the Cheshire League and winning the Ashton Challenge Cup with Boothway himself scoring the winner in the final against Ashton United. He made 45 appearances that season scoring 30 goals.
The form of the previous season wasn't maintained and Mossley finished 18th in season 1952-53 with Boothway scoring 15 goals in 31 appearances a season that also saw Boothway hang up his boots at 34 years old and concentrate on managing the team.
The 1953-54 season saw Mossley reach the last qualifying round of the FA Cup unluckily losing to Rhyl in a replay but they did win the Ashton Challenge Cup again beating Stalybridge Celtic 2-0 in the final at Hyde United's ground but League form was again poor and following another unimpressive showing in the 1954-55 season Boothway departed from Seel Park for the last time. Boothway then managed Northwich Victoria from 1955 to 1957 and then Runcorn from 1961 to 1971.

Borek
1952/53
1
0
unknown
Mossley (1-0)
unknown
Polish born player who made a solitary Mossley appearance on trial in the 1952/53 season.

Nick Boshell
2008/09
6
0
Liversedge
Harrogate Railway Athletic
Mossley (6-0)
Liversedge
Ossett Albion
Brighouse Town
Bradford Park Avenue
Guiseley
Ossett Town

Signed in September 2008 from Harrogate Railway Athletic.
Boshell joined Rail' in the close season from Liversedge were he was leading scorer in 2007/08.
Returned to Liversdege. Later with Ossett Albion, Brighouse Town, Bradford Park Avenue, Guiseley and Ossett Town.


Billy Boslem
1975/76
2
0
Rochdale (48-1)
- Mossley (loan) (2-0)
Buxton
Born 11th January 1958.
William Boslem was signed from Rochdale (48-1) on loan.
Made his only Mossley appearances in the two legged Northern Premier League Cup Final against Boston United in 1976 replacing Roy Ellam who had gone to play in the USA.
Mossley lost the final 5-2 on aggregate.
Boslem later played for Buxton.