Mick Moore
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mick" Moore is an English
former footballer. A midfielder
, he played for Preston North End
and Port Vale
, but made his name at both Southport
and Wigan Athletic
. He helped Southport to the Fourth Division
title in 1972–73, and also played for Wigan in their first ever season in the Football League
. He also enjoyed an extensive non-league career, turning out for eleven different clubs, as well as spending a brief period in the United States with Dallas Tornado
.
, before becoming an unused squad member for Third Division
side Preston North End
in 1970–71, during which time he also played on loan for Chorley
in the Northern Premier League
.
He signed with Southport
in 1971, who were then in the Fourth Division
. After missing out on the play-offs in 1971–72, the "Sandgrounders" won promotion in 1972–73 as Fourth Division champions. However they were relegated in 1973–74, after which Moore was released.
He spent time with Great Harwood
and American
side Dallas Tornado
, before joining Northern Premier League
side Altrincham
in 1975. He hit twenty goals in 45 games in league and cup in 1975–76. His scoring form continued into 1976–77, in which he bagged seventeen goals in 41 games, including a hat-trick against Woking
.
He then switched clubs to Wigan Athletic
, who were voted into the Football League
after finishing second in the Northern League in 1977–78. However Moore missed the celebrations as he joined Port Vale
for a £3,000 fee in March 1978. He played the last thirteen games of the season
, but failed to score and was transferred back to Wigan for £2,000 in August 1978.
He scored nine goals in 41 games for the "Latics" in 1978–79
, as Wigan posted a sixth place finish in their first season of league football. Wigan again finished sixth in 1979–80, and Moore returned to non-league circles with Barrow
, who were competing in the Alliance Premier League
. He later returned to Southport, who had by then lost their league status. He also played for Lytham (on loan), Leyland Motors, Glossop
, Chorley, Horwich R.M.I. and Adlington Athletic.
historian Terry Rowley described Moore as "a fast, tricky inside forward whose style of play was always going to be a crowd pleaser", and a player that was "instantly recognisable... with his blond hair and red boots."
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer. A midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he played for Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
and Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, but made his name at both Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
and Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
. He helped Southport to the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
title in 1972–73, and also played for Wigan in their first ever season in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. He also enjoyed an extensive non-league career, turning out for eleven different clubs, as well as spending a brief period in the United States with Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
.
Playing career
Moore played youth football for Adlington Rangers and Blackburn RoversBlackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, before becoming an unused squad member for Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
side Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
in 1970–71, during which time he also played on loan for Chorley
Chorley F.C.
Chorley Football Club are a football club from Chorley, Lancashire, England. They were founded as a rugby union club in 1875 but switched to football in 1883. They have reached the FA Cup second round twice in 1986–87 and 1990–91. Their best performance in the FA Trophy was in 1995–96 when they...
in the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
.
He signed with Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
in 1971, who were then in the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
. After missing out on the play-offs in 1971–72, the "Sandgrounders" won promotion in 1972–73 as Fourth Division champions. However they were relegated in 1973–74, after which Moore was released.
He spent time with Great Harwood
Great Harwood F.C.
Great Harwood F.C. was an English football club based in Great Harwood, Lancashire. Their colours were red and white, and they played at the Showground.-History:The club was founded in the 1880s. In 1908 the joined Division Two of the Lancashire Combination...
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
side Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
, before joining Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
side Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
in 1975. He hit twenty goals in 45 games in league and cup in 1975–76. His scoring form continued into 1976–77, in which he bagged seventeen goals in 41 games, including a hat-trick against Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
.
He then switched clubs to Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, who were voted into the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
after finishing second in the Northern League in 1977–78. However Moore missed the celebrations as he joined Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
for a £3,000 fee in March 1978. He played the last thirteen games of the season
1977–78 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1977–78 season was Port Vale's sixty-sixth season of football in the Football League, and their eighth successive season in the Third Division. Finishing in 21st place, they were relegated to the Fourth Division...
, but failed to score and was transferred back to Wigan for £2,000 in August 1978.
He scored nine goals in 41 games for the "Latics" in 1978–79
1978–79 Wigan Athletic F.C. season
The 1978–79 season was the 41st season in the history of Wigan Athletic F.C. and their first as a professional club in the Football League. After finishing 2nd in the Northern Premier League during the previous season, the club was nominated to apply for Football League status, and were elected...
, as Wigan posted a sixth place finish in their first season of league football. Wigan again finished sixth in 1979–80, and Moore returned to non-league circles with Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
, who were competing in the Alliance Premier League
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. He later returned to Southport, who had by then lost their league status. He also played for Lytham (on loan), Leyland Motors, Glossop
Glossop North End A.F.C.
Glossop North End A.F.C. are an English football club based in Glossop, Derbyshire. Former members of the Football League, they are currently in the North West Counties League and are members of the Derbyshire County Football Association. They play their home matches at Surrey Street, which has a...
, Chorley, Horwich R.M.I. and Adlington Athletic.
Style of play
Altrincham F.C.Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
historian Terry Rowley described Moore as "a fast, tricky inside forward whose style of play was always going to be a crowd pleaser", and a player that was "instantly recognisable... with his blond hair and red boots."
Honours
with Southport- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
champion: 1972–73