Interview | Mossley defender Ben Richardson

Mossley’s Ben Richardson says it will be a dream to one day manage the club - but he’s not ready to hang his boots up just yet.

Photo by Martyn Nolan

200 not out

The 32-year-old recently made his 200th appearance for the club, having originally joined the NPL West side in 2009.  Making his double century of appearances in various spells at the club, he has also turned out for the likes of Ramsbottom United, Curzon Ashton and Glossop North End.

He currently works as a primary school teacher and runs his own youth coaching business, Mini Messys.

He said: “It would be a dream to manage Mossley one day - I do want to go into management. I’ve talked about it with my family and they support it. I love the game and want to continue in it. I enjoy the management side of things.

“I do see myself trying to build relationships with the players. You’re not just a football manager - you’re involved in people’s lives, and I do have an interest in helping people where I can.

“I don’t want to stop at 200 appearances - now I’m aiming for 300. I do appreciate every time I pull on the shirt - it’s nothing I take for granted, especially at my age and what’s happened with Covid.”

Football takes a back seat

Richardson has only made a handful of substitute appearances for the club so far this season, following the premature birth of his twins Hallie and Thea. With the babies arriving three months early, daily trips to the hospital to track their progress are a necessity.

He admits it’s been an intense few months, and football has understandably been the casualty. The support of manager David Fish and his staff has been a big boost, who is keeping faith with Richardson as he plays catchup on the rest of the squad.

He’s still been attending training where he can, although he’s stayed away in the last week, as not to pass on the ear and chest infection he’s currently dealing with.

“It’s been tricky. I’ve missed five weeks of preseason. It all depends on how the girls are - it’s a critical stage in their lives at the minute. I’ve got to be there as and when.

“In a footballing sense, it’s been quite frustrating because I can’t do more on the pitch. I do feel as if I’ve been a positive influence at training and in the changing room. “The management team has been first class, they’ve taken into account my circumstances and offered me endless streams of support. There’s been times where my weight has fluctuated and they’ve stuck by me.

“The manager still believes in me, and that I’ve got a massive part to play this season as and when I’m ready to do so,” he said.

Club in great form

As Richardson has watched from the sidelines, the club have moved into a very strong position early on in the campaign.  Fish has led his side to six wins in seven league games and they sit second to early front runners Workington.

He credits manager Fish for bringing in the right kind of player for the club in the close season, describing the existing squad as tight-knit.

“It’s bittersweet for me - the lads are doing great, but my circumstances at the minute don’t allow me to offer any more. It is what it is, I have to accept that fact and trust the process. I’ve got to use the coming weeks to get myself fit again and hopefully knock on the door to start games. “The lads have done great - the recruitment over the summer has been first class. Dale Latham between the sticks is calmness personified. He never looks like he will make a mistake and does the basics well. He’s great in the changing room and has experience. Devon Matthews has come in from Glossop, and has been phenomenal at centre back. He won player of the month, and every game he seems to grow in confidence.  Mason Fawns has been great, he’s brought the creativity from midfield that we’ve lacked with Keogh!,” he laughs.

“The managers research the players. They don’t just pick anyone - they research what they’re like as a person. In the dressing room, if you have one person who’s not singing from the same hymn sheet, it stands out a mile and can affect the team. I’ve been around non-league for 15,16 years now and I know a good dressing room when I’m in one. The results speak for themselves,” he said.

FA Cup run

This weekend sees Mossley take on Radcliffe in the FA Cup second qualifying round, with the winners just one game from the first round proper and pocketing £3,375 in prize money.

Fish’s side have already knocked out Newton Aycliffe and Lower Breck to reach this stage having joined the competition in the preliminary round.

Despite Radcliffe playing their football a step higher, the two teams’ contrasting starts to the season will see many backing Mossley to win, especially with home advantage. Lee Fowler’s Radcliffe side are currently 18th in the NPL Premier.

That said, Richardson is wary of underestimating the opposition.

“Radcliffe are a strong team - it’s certainly not a game where it’s a foregone conclusion who’s going to win. We’ve got a real chance to progress, but we have to respect them - they’re not in the league above for no reason. We’ll be disappointed to lose, definitely,” he said.

Mossley take on Radcliffe at Seel Park on Saturday with a 3pm kick off.