RADCLIFFE Borough old-boy James Burke provided a shining example for the club’s latest recruits after securing an 18-month contract at Bury.

The 19-year-old former Huddersfield Town defender agreed to drop down the leagues last season to spend a short but successful loan spell at Stainton Park.

And while he never made it into the Terriers’ first team before being released by his home-town club last month, Burke believes his experience of playing for Boro was vital when eventually making his debut in league football for the Shakers on New Year’s Day.

“I agreed to go to Radcliffe on loan last year just to keep fit over the festive period, but it was a real eye opener,” said the Huddersfield-born defender.

“There is no comparison between playing for the under-21s and playing senior football, at any level.”

Burke played a key role in Bury’s 3-0 win at Hartlepool, overcoming early nerves with two important last-ditch tackles in the first couple of minutes.

“The speed that the game started was a bit of a shock, but I think the handful of games I had for Boro helped me with that.

“Even at Evo-Stik level, the game is a lot quicker and more intensive than in youth and development squad games.”

Manager Kevin Glendon has continued his policy of loaning in league talent this campaign.

The club currently has four players from League Two Fleetwood Town on its books, with 18-year-olds Aiden Wainwright and Kurt Willoughby the latest to arrive.

They made their Boro bows against Mossley on Saturday alongside fellow Highbury loanee Richard Wright, pictured below, while Fleetwood’s Jake Parker has also played for the Stainton Park outfit this season. Boro have also recruited 23-year-old former Stalybridge Celtic defender Sam Holt.

Wainwright was clearly eager to make the most of his chance, firing Radcliffe ahead in the sixth minute, but their Greater Manchester opponents hit back almost instantly and eventually won 3-1 after scoring two late goals.

The defeat saw Boro drop back into the bottom two in Evo- Stik Division One North after Wakefield drew 3-3 with Kendal Town to leapfrog Glendon’s side.

Radcliffe now face a daunting couple of fixtures against sides hopeful of promotion, entertaining sixth-placed Lancaster City on Saturday before travelling to in-form neighbours Ramsbottom United the following weekend.

Arguably their most important match of January, however, will come at the end of the month, when they face relegation rivals Prescot Cables. Prescot are currently 19th in the table, four points better off than Boro, having played a game less.

lRadcliffe Borough’s upcoming matches have been rearranged. Boro will now play at Cammel Laird on Saturday, February 15 and at home to Darlington on Saturday, February 22. Both matches kick off at 3pm.