RADCLIFFE Borough chairman Bernard Manning Jnr hopes a transfer ban imposed by the Evo-Stik League will soon be lifted after coming to an agreement with HMRC over an unpaid tax bill.

The Stainton Park chief confirmed the club had been unable to sign players for the last two weeks after breaking the league’s strict financial rules after failing to pay a VAT bill of £1,800.

But after this week agreeing a settlement plan with HMRC, Manning Jnr said he would be appealing to the league to lift the ban.

“I must admit I felt the ban was quite ridiculous,” said the Boro chairman.

“It feels a little bit like the Evo-Stik League is being run like it is UEFA or FIFA at times.

“I accept we broke the rules but now we have come to an arrangement with HMRC hopefully the ban can be lifted as soon as possible.

“I know the manager (Paul McGuire) has players lined up that he wants to sign and, hopefully, this will free up his arm a little.

“But clearly, the club is not in a financial situation where we can afford to go out and bring in a raft of players.

“The cashflow is such that when faced with a bill of £1,800 we simply did not have enough to pay it all up front.

“But now we have agreed a settlement that allows us to pay it over a number of months, hopefully the problems will ease.”

McGuire feels his side is not too far away from being a force in Evo-Stik Division One North after they bounced back from a 4-1 defeat at Kendal Town at the weekend to hold promotion favourites Darlington 1883 to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night.

Chris Mason put Boro in front early in the second half and McGuire believes they should have gone on to win the game, but for a momentary lapse of concentration on a set-piece.

“We are really struggling for numbers at the moment but I don’t think the first team is that far from being a very decent side,” said the Boro boss.

“We are creating lots of chances and looking strong at the back, but we do have a few areas where the team needs strengthening.

“I have only been able to name two substitutes for the past two games and we are missing some key players.

“But I have a number of lads who have been training with us and are eager to play, so as soon as this ban is lifted that should help us.”

Dave Sherlock will be missing for Saturday’s visit of Ossett Albion, but the experienced midfielder will return from suspension for Tuesday’s match at home to Wigan Robin Park in the Lancashire County Trophy.

Captain James Mullineux, Bevan Burey and Ryan Hibbert will miss both games through injury.