THE word legend is often overused but, where Mossley AFC is concerned, it certainly applies to Andy Keogh.
Very few people have made as many appearances for the club or scored as many goals than Keogh, who has even briefly stepped up to fill the manager’s hotseat.
At the recent awards night, he was inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame – an elite list of just 19 people who have had a “significant impact” on the club’s history.
But after first arriving at Seel Park over a decade ago, captain Keogh has now decided to leave.
The versatile player amassed 343 appearances for the Lilywhites, netting 68 times – an achievement that puts Keogh sixth in the club’s all-time appearances list and 16th in the top goalscorer charts.
His last outing for Mossley came in the goalless draw against Avro on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign.
After making his debut in August 2013, Keogh made 29 appearances and scored nine goals before moving to Nantwich in December that year.
He returned to Seel Park in August 2014 and remained there until February 2017, scoring another 17 goals in 95 outings, before switching to Trafford FC.
Keogh returned to the Lilywhites 12 months later and has since been an ever-present for the club.
As well as being a stalwart on the pitch, he became a leader off it too when taking up the vacant manager’s position for five games in the 2019/20 season – winning three and drawing one – before the campaign was curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Announcing his departure on Sunday, May 5, a statement from Mossley AFC said Keogh “will always be considered a club legend” and that he “will always be welcome back at Seel Park”.
It added: “We would like to place on record our thanks and gratitude to Andy for everything he has done for the club, both on and off the pitch. We wish him nothing but success for the future both on and off the pitch.”
On deciding to leave, Keogh had nothing but praise for everyone associated with the club.
“I’d like to thank all the players and managers I’ve played with and the fans and volunteers over the last 11 years,” he said. “You have made my time at the club an absolute pleasure.
“To have had the privilege to captain and even manage the club for a short time has been a proud personal achievement. Good luck for the future.”
Keogh has not yet announced what his next challenge will be, but undoubtedly it is the end of an era at Seel Park.