Match Preview: Bootle v Mossley AFC

Our final game of the 2025/26 is taking place at our beloved home The Berry Street Garage Stadium, or is it? We still have a place in the play offs to play for after Lower Breck and Vauxhall Motors both faced defeat last weekend. We need to do our job here against Mossley while we are asking Shifnal Town for a huge favour to take points from Lower Breck.

As mentioned, not only must Bootle do their job today in defeating Mossley, but me most hope for a Shifnal Town draw or victory as they face Lower Breck at home, should that happen then Bootle would gain a place into the play off areas. Regardless of today’s outcome, I think it would be fair to say that we are proud of our team for fighting until the end relentlessly and we would like to thank your unmatched support home and away throughout this season. Up The Bucks!

Ninth placed Mossley have had quite an astonishing 2026 as they only have two league defeats to their name since the start of the year. A win today against Bootle would not only seen them play a part in the play off areas, but to further themselves in the league by climbing up to eighth depending on how Chasetown get on away to Stalybridge Celtic.

Form Guide:

• Clitheroe 0 Mossley 0, March 28th 2026

• Mossley 1 Nantwich Town 1, April 3rd 2026

• Stalybridge Celtic 1 Mossley 0, April 6th 2026

• Mossley 1 Darlaston Town 0, April 11th 2026

• Mossley 3 Vauxhall Motors 2, April 18th 2026

The Manager:

In March earlier this year the club announced that Alex Craddock would take the role as manager when then boss David Fish made it public that he would step down from his position at the end of the 2024/25 season. Craddock joined The Lilywhites in the summer of 2020 as part of David Fish’s coaching staff as first team coach and then stepped up to assistant manager in December 2021 following the departure of Lee Ashworth.

Key Player:

Mason Fawns joined Mossley for a second time in the 2024/25 season after a spell with Kidsgrove Athletic, Fawns is certainly a favourite amongst the Lilywhites faithful as he has recently upped his goal tally for the club to over 50 goals. Fawns has also played Bootle, Ramsbottom, Altrincham, Curzon Ashton, Oldham Athletic and Blackburn Rovers’ youth set up.

Club Fact File:

• Founded: 1903

• Nickname: The Lilywhites

• Ground: Seel Park

• Capacity: 4,500 (200 Seated)

Recent Honours: Manchester Premier Cup Winners 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16

Avoid the queue at the turnstiles by purchasing your ticket online through the link here.