DECLAN Evans’ transfer from Mossley to National League North side Southport is the perfect move for the player according to Lilywhites’ manager David Fish.
It is a step-up of two divisions for the 22-year-old central defender, who had become one of the hottest properties in non-league football.
Fish explained that Mossley had received approaches for Evans, who has been loaned back to the Lilywhites for the remainder of the season, from many Northern Premier League clubs.
He said: “Most teams in our league and the one above wanted to sign Dec, but I told him his next move ought to be to National League North.
“While I will be sorry to see Dec leave, I think he needed to move to be tested by better players and I believe this is the right club at the right time for him.
“And maybe with more ambition and self-belief, I could see Dec going on to play at an even higher level.”
“Since I joined Mossley in the summer of 2020, Dec has been superb. Everybody can see what a talented player he is, but what people don’t see is his development as a leader, his voice in the dressing room and his desire to win every drill in every training session.
“Other clubs have approached us for Dec almost every week over the past 18 months, many offering him sums we can’t match right now. The fact he’s stayed shows his commitment to the club and belief in what we are developing.
“I have said to him and others in the squad that their next move should be to a National League club and therefore I’m delighted that Dec’s loyalty has been rewarded. I have no doubt that he is ready to step up to that level and will be as good a player for Southport as he has been for Mossley.”
Southport reported it was an undisclosed fee, but it is understood there are sell-on clauses should Evans be sold in the future.
Evans, who made his Southport debut in a home goalless draw against Curzon Ashton last Tuesday (Feb 15), is back at Mossley but will return to the Sandgrounders for the final games of the season after the Lilywhites have completed their season.
He was signed by manager Liam Watson as a replacement for Doug Tharme, the former Curzon Ashton player who was recently sold by Southport to Championship club Blackpool and given a contract until May 2024.
Evans, a former Rochdale academy player, joined Mossley from National League North club Chorley in 2017 and since then has made almost 150 appearances.
And in the current campaign Evans’ 10 goals also make him the club’s leading scorer and been the subject of many approaches by other clubs.
Fish added the move, along with Ethan Kershaw leaving for Atherton Collieries last summer, demonstrates the club’s policy of developing young players.
“When it comes to making signings, I hope players look at our model, philosophy and ethos and we will help them to develop,” he explained.
Mossley made three signings in the wake of the departure of striker Antony Brown and defender Steve Mason joining North West Counties League side Avro on dual forms to get game time.
The Lilywhites brought in midfielder Andreas Bianga on a short-term loan from Ashton United, winger Leon Arnasalam on dual forms from Macclesfield Town and goalkeeper Brad Kelly on a one-month loan from Rochdale.
Brown, who had spent the early months of the season on the sidelines through injury, made the decision to take a break from football citing work and personal commitments.
After joining Mossley from Silsden last season, Brown made 19 appearances for the Lilywhites scoring three goals.
Bianga, 25, who was born in the DR Congo, is well known on the local circuit having previously played for both Ashton clubs, Hyde United and Droylsden as well as having a spell in Wales at Connah’s Quay.
Arnasalam, a pacy winger, had the distinction this season of scoring the first competitive goal for the newly formed Macclesfield FC.
However, it was a short stay for Arnasalam, 21, who was in the academy at Preston North End and played also for Bolton Wanderers Under-23s, as Fish described him as “not quite the right fit” for Mossley.
With goalkeepers Dale Latham and Jordan Hadlow both having injury issues, Fish captured Kelly from League Two side Rochdale.
Kelly’s debut was in the 4-1 home win against Prescot Cables.
Fish believes Mossley still has an outside chance of qualifying for the promotion play offs.
“We still have a chance, although small, and I don’t want to write off this season yet,” he said.
“To get into the play-off places, we will probably have to win all our remaining games. We still have to play teams in and around us, so it is possible.”