NEW MOSSLEY AFC manager Alex Craddock has made a statement of intent by retaining 13 of last season’s first team squad.
Headed by captain Mark Lees, the Lilywhites are looking to build on the legacy of former boss David Fish, who left his post at the end of the season after five years in the Seel Park hotseat.
As well as the veteran defender who passed a century of appearances for the club in April, other players committing their future to Mossley include Manager’s Player of the Season Jack Marrow and jet-heeled winger Obua Mugalula.
Just as importantly, Fin Madigan, who kept a league-leading 19 clean sheets at the other end of the pitch, keeps his place between the sticks for the forthcoming Northern Premier League West Division campaign.
“I’m really pleased that the club have been able to retain the vast majority of last season’s squad,” Lees told the Correspondent.
“There are some very talented players who, as many players have done here previously, will progress to a higher level.
“But our main priority is to improve on last season’s performances as a team and get Mossley further up the league table.
“It’s an amazing football club, filled with so many brilliant people from the volunteers, staff, and of course the supporters.
“Everyone is really excited for Alex, it’s his first managerial role, but he’s more than ready for it and we can’t wait to get started.”
Vice-captain Will Shepherd also returns to Seel Park after spending most of last season in the treatment room.
He will be accompanied by Joe Berks, Michael Brewster, Sean Kgwakgwa, Mat Kardacz, Adam Sherratt, Gee Balthazar, Reece Webb-Foster and talismanic forward Mason Fawns.
One of those players who moved up the divisions from Mossley last season is Ben Darby, who played his way into Curzon Ashton’s starting line-up after mostly warming the bench before Christmas.
However, his efforts have been rewarded with a renewed contract at the Tameside Stadium as the Nash look to make up for the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the National League North play-offs.
Another ex-Mossley youngster impressing higher up the pyramid is Bailey Marsden, who battled back from injury to secure a move to another National League North outfit, King’s Lynn Town.