RADCLIFFE FC and Radcliffe Juniors have formed a partnership.

The link-up brings together the two clubs and players aged from aged four up to senior non-league footballers.

Radcliffe FC, who play in the Evo-Stik North division, have ambitious plans to climb the league structure and hopefully one day rise into the Football League.

One of the hopes of the plan is both the junior and senior clubs can benefit from each other and that together they can have a positive impact on the town by making the club bigger and stronger.

Radcliffe Juniors' players attended Saturday's Radcliffe FC match against Ossett Town to mark the partnership when the junior club unveiled a new crest they have adopted following the merger.

Radcliffe FC chairman Paul Hilton said: "This is a great day for Radcliffe FC.

"When we set out on our new journey as a club and reviewed our place in the town, it was clear identifying with our community was paramount.

"Our brand and modernisation was only the first step."

"This partnership represents a huge leap in embedding our club into the heart of our community. We believe our future is brighter together, we can succeed together, grow together and bring our town together. Welcome aboard."

Radcliffe Juniors were established in 1987 and are an FA charter standard club focusing on providing football for youngster from four years old upwards.

It is run and managed by volunteers aiming to provide a safe and friendly environment for the children to play and enjoy football.

They have 19 teams including an open-age team that plays in the Manchester League and are currently in the process of starting a girls' team for the start of next season.

The majority of their players have come from their soccer school, which runs on Tuesday nights between 6-7pm at Red Bank playing fields.

They have grown rapidly since five years ago when the current management team took over and they had four teams and financial issues.

Radcliffe Juniors chairman Lee Chapman said: "The club is always looking to keep progressing and are excited to be working together with Radcliffe FC to ensure we give the players the best possible football experience."

Radcliffe FC marked the merger in the best possible way with a 3-0 victory over Ossett Town which came in between losing 2-0 to third-placed Hyde United last Thursday night, and going down 4-0 to leaders South Shields two nights ago, all at the Neuven Stadium, which leaves them third-bottom.