MARK MOLESLEY

Full Name: Mark Clifford Molesley

Born: 11 March 1981

Came from: AFC Bournemouth   Went to: AFC Bournemouth

First game: 24 November 2012   Last game: 01 January 2013

Appearances: 6 (4/2)   Goals: 0

Born in Hillingdon, Molesley began his nomadic non-league career locally with Hayes, having progressed through the Missioners’ youth ranks. He made over 200 appearances between 1999 and 2005 before moving on to Cambridge City. During his only season with the Lilywhites he scored seven goals in 30 games before switching to Aldershot Town for the 2006-07 campaign, where he also won four caps for the England National Game XI (England C, for players at non-league level). The following year saw him spend a season with Stevenage Borough, before Grays Athletic got their man in the summer of 2008.

In October 2008, at the age of 27 and with Grays in financial turmoil, Molesley enjoyed his first taste of the Football League when he joined Bournemouth on loan, a move made permanent when the transfer window re-opened. He made 12 appearances over the remainder of the season and played an important role in helping the Cherries retain their League status. Molesley started the following campaign as a regular member of the first team but then spent much of the next two years battling injuries. In March 2012 he returned to Aldershot Town on a short-term loan, and joined Argyle in a similar deal in November of that year, following a recommendation from Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, a close friend of then-Argyle manager Carl Fletcher. After ending an injury-marred spell at Home Park with only five appearances, Molesley raised a few eyebrows by turning up at Exeter City in January 2013, before returning for a third spell with relegated Aldershot Town in the summer. In November 2014, he scored the Shots’ winner as the Conference side dumped 2008 winners Portsmouth out of the FA Cup.

Molesley left Aldershot in July 2015 after two seasons (54 appearances and 10 goals). He then joined Southern League side Weymouth in a player-coach role. In July 2016, it was announced that Molesley was joining AFC Bournemouth as an assistant coach with the under-21 team while still continuing as player-coach at Weymouth. A year later, whilst continuing to split his time with Weymouth, Molesley became assistant manager to Carl Fletcher at Dean Court, when Fletcher was promoted to manage Bournemouth's under-21 side.

In August 2020, after two consecutive promotions for Weymouth, Molesley left both Dorset clubs to become the manager of League Two Southend United on a three-year deal. However, after seven months he was sacked following a period of poor results and the club in 23rd place in the league.

In September 2021, Molesley returned to Aldershot Town as manager on a deal until the end of the 2022-23 season. However, he was sacked in October 2022 following a 2-0 defeat by Chelmsford City in the 2022-23 FA Cup 4th qualifying round. The following month he was appointed Director of Football of Gosport Borough, taking control of the first-team as well as wider football operations. He then departed the club at the end of that season.

In October 2023, Molesley was appointed manager of Southern League Premier Division South club Hayes & Yeading United. Six months later he returned to Dorset for a second spell in charge at Weymouth in the National League South.