House call! Fish slips from Lilywhites net

MOSSLEY HOT-SHOT: Mike Fish (right) scored 22 goals in 25 starts for the Lilywhites this season

MOSSLEY have suffered a hammer blow on the eve of tomorrow's crunch home Evo-Stik League Division One North derby against Hyde United.

With the Lilywhites currently struggling, hovering precariously above the drop zone, in-form striker Mike Fish has left Seel Park and linked up with big-spending divisional rivals Brighouse Town.

"What can you do when a club comes in for a player and they're offering more than double what he's on here in wages?," said Mossley joint-boss Peter Band.

"We certainly can't stand in his way in a situation like this.

'FAMILY'

"Fishy is 31 now, he's got a young family, so when you get a chance to increase your wages by so much, it can't be turned down.

"Good luck to the lad. We'll miss him of course, he's a top guy and he's a very popular player for us."

Fish looked set to finish his career at Seel Park and has scored a remarkable 22 goals in just 25 starts this season.

This, of course, got him noticed by some of the bigger spenders in the division, and so Mossley fans must bid farewell to a player who has reached near legendary status at the club. He has made a total of 235 appearances for Mossley, scoring 87 goals.

Goalkeeper Niki-Lee Bulmer could also be heading through the exit door at Seel Park as Warrington Town are keen on signing the tall stopper.

The Lilywhites have, however, made several new signings to counteract recent departures.

DEFENDER

Ex-Glossop 'keeper Dean Williams (27) has joined the club from West Didsbury and Chorlton, as has central defender James Etherington (26), from Wrexham.

Versatile former Accrington Stanley player Keenan Quansah (19) has signed from Burscough and midfielders Dan Johnson (24) and Eddie Busfield (19) have signed from New Mills and Silsden respectively.

Tall centre-forward Craig Billington (26) has arrived at Seel Park from AFC Emley.

CHADDERTON will be keen to follow-up last weekend's terrific 3-0 victory against high-flying Whitchurch Alport when they travel to Eccleshall in the Hallmark Security League First Division.

Mark Howard's men kept their feint play-off hopes alive with the win against table-topping Whitchurch, and will be confident of gaining another three points at Pershall Park as the hosts as currently floundering in the bottom two in the standings.

* BIG-match reports in Monday's Chronicle.