IN JUST a few short seasons Radcliffe Boro have begun to move onto a higher plain.

"Think Big, Become Big" is fast becoming a club motto.

The vital changes at the top level of the club were made last season under the ambitious forward drive of chairman Bernard Manning Junior. Appointments to Board level were made with manager Kevin Glendon, Graham Fielding, Ronnie Boyle and David Murgatroyd coming in.

The club also has two superb club sponsors in Comet Copiers and Martin Darlington Transport. With those essential components of a sound foundation in place, the club is ready to step up from the 'slightly better than middle of the table' UniBond Division One doldrums that had settled around Stainton Park to becoming a name to be reckoned with on the North West non-League scene.

Official ratification is still awaited from the Football Association regarding the new £130,000 floodlit astroturf training facility that will make the Boro ground the focal point of sporting activity in the Radcliffe area.

The news on the grapevine however is all optimistic that the 'thumbs up' is imminent. Two weeks ago, the club confirmed the appointment of a full time Community Development Officer in Neil Thompson.

Prime Minister John Major may well have just announced his vision for the future with a multi-million lottery cash injection into sport at grass roots level in this country, but he was just ever so slightly trailing in the Boro wake!

Thompson's brief from the club is 'to get out there in the schools and the community offering the very best in coaching skills and facilities to the local youth.'

Making this a full time appointment is an adventurous step indeed, but highlights chairman Manning's commitment to the Radcliffe cause.

The club already has a full junior set-up from under-eight age level right the way through to 18, a ladies side and this season will be home to the highly successful veterans side that reached the Northern Final of the Umbro Vets competition last term under the Turton banner.

Stainton Park is also 'home' to Swinton Rugby League Club Reserves and Academy sides!

Representing the club, David Murgatroyd is to attend a new admirable initiative from the Lancashire FA to be staged on Monday August 12 - Lancashire Kicks Racism Out of Football.

This shows yet again the Boro commitment to not only supporting, but pushing, anything that betters soccer for players and supporters alike.

In midweek Bury manager Stan Ternant sent his full first team squad down for a pre-season friendly and saw three second half strikes earn his side a 3-0 victory. The match proved to be a highly successful public relations exercise with an attendance of 840.

This afternoon the club stages a testimonial game for former Oldham Athletic striker Frankie Bunn with his former gaffer from Boundary Park Joe Royle sending down a strong Everton side.

Gracing Stainton Park will be Swedish International Anders Limpar, Vinny Samways, Matt Jackson and Frankie's former Oldham teammate of six seasons, Earl Barrett. Staging an occasion of this magnitude shows just how much the club has grown in stature.

Next Wednesday sees Manchester City Reserves the visitors for yet another top class friendly meeting. The named City squad, under manager Kevin Bond, includes Andy Dibble, Alan Kernagan, Gerry Creaney and Martin Phillips, with Richard Edgehill and Peter Beagrie on stand-by.

For the last two seasons a top eight Division One finish has guaranteed a place in the Presidents Cup and last term there was all that excitement of a superb run in the FA Trophy. This time around, Glendon and his side will be looking to better that and the financial commitment is already in place with no less than six players placed on contract.

Just four weeks into the season will come a massive FA Cup tester with mighty Marine the visitors in the First Qualifying Round. Last season's success sees the club exempt from the early rounds of the FA Trophy.

LITTLE is being said by anyone at ATHERTON LR at the moment concerning hopes and aspirations for the new season but the little snippets of news that are being released concern departures from Crilly Park rather than new blood coming in.

Following hot on the heels of defender Lee Sculpher's return to NWCL Division One side Clitheroe and leading goalscorer and double Player of the Season Joey Dunn being allowed to join Runcorn, came word from club secretary Steve Hartle this week that Dave Bennett, the defender signed last season from Leek Town, has been freed to join Great Harwood Town, and John Hudson is off to Warrington Town.

There has also yet to be an official club announcement on which league the LR Reserve team is to play in this season.

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