Mossley Manager Quits As Youths Win Cup
Shaun Higgins has resigned as manager of Mossley. His departure follows a dreadful run of form, with just one draw and ten defeats from their last 11 matches.
That has left Mossley in 18th place in the Evo Stik League Division One North. Former Woodley Sports manager Gareth McClelland has been given the job of arresting the club’s slide down the table, and has been appointed until the end of the season.
Higgins took over in the summer, and there were promising signs earlier in the season, especially when Mossley made it to the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. But Tuesday night’s 3-1 home defeat against Salford City proved to be his last game in charge.
A club statement read: “The Directors would like to place on record their thanks to Shaun for all of the hard work he has put in on behalf of the club since his appointment last June, and would like to wish him all the very best for the future.”
Mossley Youth, before last night's cup final. (picture: Mossley AFC)
It continued: “The Mossley Directors have appointed former Woodley Sports manager Gareth McClelland as Shaun’s replacement on a caretaker basis until the end of the season. He along with his caretaker assistant Eddy Haslam will take charge for the first time in Saturday’s local Seel Park derby against Woodley Sports.”
The statement ended: “Woodley are of course now managed by former Mossley boss Chris Willcock and have a large number of former Mossley players in their squad.”
There was better news on the field last night for Mossley’s Youth side. They won the Manchester FA Youth Cup, coming from behind to beat New Mills 2-1 in a match played at Salford’s Moor Lane ground.
Captain Alex Byrne equalised for Mossley, before Joe Heap scored the winner from the penalty spot.
You can read a full match report and see more pictures from the game at the Mossley website here, which is also the place to go to read the club’s statement about the management change.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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