Fish seals Seel Park exit at end of campaign

Mossley manager David Fish will step down from his role at the end of the season after five years in charge.

The club said in a statement on Saturday afternoon that they “reluctantly accepted” Fish’s resignation, with matters outside football playing a decisive part in his decision. 

“I’m incredibly proud of being Mossley’s manager,” former Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic and Curzon Ashton goalkeeper Fish said. “It’s a great club with lots of good people, and I think we’ve assembled a really good dressing room this year, with a squad that we can build on and be successful with. 

“There’s a lot of things that make me want to stay at the club, but when I’ve weighed things up and put them into balance, I’ve got a demanding job, I’ve a lot going on with my family, I’ve got I want to do in life. 

“Football means you make a lot of sacrifices, and I just couldn’t commit 100% next season and it was the right time for me to step away. 

“People don’t necessarily appreciate what happens in non-League football and how it takes over your life.  

“I work 45-50 hours per week, I travel with work, so that takes up a lot of time. It’s not just being here at training or on a match day, it’s time in between talking to players, planning sessions, talking to the management team, talking to the board: it’s football every day. 

“When you’re not doing something with football, you’re thinking about it. It’s something that becomes all-consuming.” 

The board at Mossley say that the manager leaves the club on good terms. 

“When David joined the club, he had an unenviable role of trying to take us forward,” said Mossley director Nathan Harris. “He has exceeded expectations at every step of the mark and has consistently built excellent teams on tight budgets. 

“Not only has he developed players to move up the pyramid, but he has put fans and the community back at the heart of the club and has built teams who engage with our supporters more than ever, as well as playing an instrumental role in our recent partnership with Uppermill FC. 

“We respect his decision to step down and he has more than earned the right to leave on his own terms.  

“We have had some memorable moments with David at the helm and we will forever be proud of the work he has done and the legacy he leaves behind.” 

David, 44, joined Mossley in the summer of 2020 after a spell in charge of Chadderton in the North West Counties League (NWCFL) and before that with Lancashire Amateur League side Rochdale St Clements. 

He began his football career in the youth ranks of Manchester United before signing pro terms at Stockport County for a year. 

He later turned out for Woodley Sports, Witton Albion and was part of the all-conquering Stalybridge Celtic treble-winning side in 2000-2001.