Sudden death tragedy of top young footballer
TRIBUTES TO TEENAGER ‘DESTINED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER’
A TALENTED 15-year-old footballer who died suddenly was destined for a career as a top professional, said his former managers.
Jordan Moseley, from Middleton, died on Tuesday.
The teenager was a popular player at the academy of League Two club Accrington Stanley.
Glowing tributes have been paid by Stanley officials as well as junior Oldham teams he also played for, Chadderton Park and Heyside.
Wayne Hurst, who managed City fan Jordan when he played for Chadderton Park, said: “Jordan came to me as an eight-year-old. He fitted in straight away, he was always the one player who wanted to prove himself.
“He knew from an early age he wanted to make it as a footballer, and his dad always wanted him to make it. It was clear he was something special on the pitch, and his desire is what got him noticed.
“He was with us for four years before he left to go on to play in the top division. I have kept a close eye on his progress as I knew he would get to where he wanted to be as a professional footballer.
“During his time at Accrington Stanley he was managed by a friend of mine, and he told me Jordan was earmarked for a scholarship due to the level of skill he had shown. He was a pleasure to coach. He will be sadly missed by his old team-mates.”
The exact circumstances surrounding Jordan’s death have not yet been disclosed.
Mark Jones, who managed Jordan for under the U12s, U13s and U14s at Royton club Heyside, said: “He was a great lad. He was always happy and smiling. It was his dedication that struck me. He was destined to be a professional footballer. The ball stuck to him. Then he added scoring to his game and was getting 20 to 30 goals a season.”
Mark Jackson, who was Jordan’s manager at AFC Oldham, who he also played for at U12s and U13s, said: “As a 13-year-old he was the Tameside League’s top scorer with 29 league goals and won a special award. He was a brilliant lad, with very supportive parents. He was the fittest lad in the team.”
Accrington Stanley academy manager Paul Lodge described him as a ‘great athlete’ who the club were watching ‘for the future.’
He said the news came as a ‘huge shock’ to the players and staff, and counselling was made available.
Jordan had been a member of the Stanley academy for a number of years. He was a season ticket holder at City with his dad, Gary, and mum Tracy.
Stanley boss John Coleman said: “We are all shocked and saddened by what has happened. You get upset about results and then something like this happens – it’s a million times worse.”
Stanley’s U18s game against Rochdale at Nelson tomorrow is set to go ahead, with the agreement of the academy staff and players.
A club statement said: “Accrington Stanley would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for Jordan and we will pass them onto Jordan’s family.”