MOSSLEY manager David Fish is well advanced in his planning for the 2022-23 season.
Jordan Butterworth, Freddie Sass, Joe Rothwell and Bailey Marsden all agreed contracts before the current campaign ended.
And with former Oldham Athletic player Mason Fawns on a two-year contract, that is already five players who are committed to the cause.
Fish has also revealed a couple of other players are about to sign, adding he is hoping to keep the nucleus of the squad that finished eighth in Northern Premier League, west division.
“Ideally I would like to pin down between 10 and 12 of the current squad,” he explained.
The main focus of strengthening the squad will be to find a centre half to replace Southport-bound Declan Evans and a striker after Harry Pratt signed for Hyde United the day before transfer deadline day.
Veteran defender Steve Mason, who took time away from the club, has returned having spent time on dual forms at Avro to regain match sharpness.
Fish would like Mason to stay or next season, but he is undecided as he has work and family commitments to consider.
Midfielder Butterworth, 23, joined Mossley from Chadderton before the 2020-21 season and recently made his 50th appearance for the Lilywhites for whom he has been an ever present in the campaign just ended.
Fish said: “Jordan has played for me since he was 18 when he came to Chadderton from Curzon Ashton. He immediately made an impact and has improved every season since.
“Last season was very much one of transition for him as he adapted to the step-up. He played in his preferred position in the middle but also covered at right back and those games massively helped his development.
“He came back to pre-season looking bigger and stronger and has become an important player in our midfield, so much so he has played in every game this season.
“He is a good lad who is adaptable. We’ve asked him to take on at least three different roles this season, and he works hard on whatever we ask of him. He’s just turned 23 and there’s plenty more to come from him.”
Right-back Rothwell was signed from Prestwich Heys in March.
Rothwell had been a target for next season but, when Mossley lost both full backs, Fish made his move earlier than expected.
Left-back Sass joined midway through the current campaign from Tadcaster Albion, making 11 appearances and scoring one goal before an injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Midfielder Marsden signed for the Lilywhites last summer, having previously been at the Crewe Alexandra academy. He has made 30 appearances, scoring one goal.
Fish said: “I’m delighted to have secured Bailey for another year. We’ve already seen what a good player he is but, given his age, he’s only going to get better.
“He’s two footed, a great tackler and an excellent passer; everything you want from a central midfielder. He’s also ambitious and is a player who listens and wants to get better.”
Fish brought in Altrincham defender Tyler Williams on transfer deadline with a view to see if he would be suitable for next season.
Williams, 20, is known locally after having a three-month stint at Stalybridge Celtic in 2020 after being released by Preston North End at the end of his scholarship.
After leaving Stalybridge, Williams was signed by Middlesbrough and later returned to Preston for a second spell.
A second signing on transfer-deadline day was winger Jamie Hill who is no stranger as he made four appearances for the Lilywhites during the 2019-20 season.
Hill, 24, played for Maine Road prior to his first spell at Mossley and has since been at Prestwich Heys.
Fish said: “Jamie is a player I’ve liked for a while and tried to bring in a couple of times. Getting him signed now gives him time to get to know the lads and how we play so he can hit the ground running next season.
“He’s missed most of this season with an ankle injury and has been working with our physio Chloe Hampson for a few weeks on his rehab.
“He’s now fit to take part in training and play a part in games. He will offer us genuine pace and directness at the top end of the pitch.”
Also arriving was forward Louis Potts on dual registration with Avro FC.
Potts, 26, who played for Northwich Victoria before joining Avro, will remain with the Oldham side until the end of their season before joining up with the Lilywhites.
The Blackley-based forward has been in fine form for Avro this season in the North West Counties Football League.
Fish also signed Mossley Juniors’ Under-17s Sam Taylor and Sam Muskett as cover for the final weeks of the season.
Both players have represented the U17s and had been invited to first-team training by Fish as part of the club’s vision to create a clear pathway for young, local players to represent Mossley AFC.
Fish’s side finished eighth after a satisfactory season in which they made an electrifying start and headed the league table.
He said: “If you had offered me eighth at the start of the season, I would have taken it. Given the start we had, though, I am disappointed we didn’t capitalise on it.
“We spent two thirds of the season pushing for the play offs and did okay in the cups.
“We have a young squad, and they will have one years’ more experience. We will keep the nucleus and add experience and quality.”
Fish says Mossley must improve if they are to push for the play-offs next season as the league promises to be even stronger.
He said: “Macclesfield Town and Skelmersdale are coming up and they will be stronger than relegated teams Kendal and Market Drayton.
“Witton Albion are coming down to our level and only two of the top five will be promoted so three will remain.
“And clubs like Clitheroe, Bootle and Colne, who didn’t make the play-offs, will be strong so there will be a better overall quality.”