THE rebuilding process is well underway at Radcliffe Borough with new manager Danny Johnson making former striker Steve Foster his latest signing as the Stainton Park outfit battle to avoid relegation from Evo-Stik Division One North.

The 32-year-old fans favourite, who returns to the club from FA Cup giantkillers Warrington Town, last played for Boro in 2006 and is well-known in non-league circles having previously played for Salford City, Mossley and Chorley.

The forward becomes the Boro boss’ 10th new signing since taking charge less then two weeks ago.

And now Johnson, who has also snapped up Dutch striker Frank Van Gils and Dean Hope from Premier side FC United, Sam McMahon, Clevon Beadle and Ben Woods from Trafford, Vinnie Mukendi from former club Nantwich, Altrincham’s David Brown, Matthew Davies from Atherton LR and centre-back Kevin McGrath, believes he has a good enough squad to secure the four wins needed to avoid the drop.

“We’ve signed some great up-and-coming prospects with Van Gils being given a glowing reference,” said Johnson.

“I’m hoping that, along with Hope, he can bring a bit of whatever FC United have and help us with our performances and results.”

The Boro manager made wholesale changes to his team in the 2-1 defeat at high-flying Spennymoor Town on Saturday with only goalkeeper Chris Cheetham, centre-backs Danny Lafferty and Richard Smith and Danny Lambert keeping their places in the starting line-up.

“I needed to get players in that I know, players that have played at this level because we need to get three or four wins to stay in this league,” said Johnson.

“The lads who retained their places are very good players and all played excellent on Saturday.

“It’s nothing personal against the other lads. I said to them ‘look you may be better than the lads I’m bringing in but unfortunately I haven’t got enough time to have trial games and see people in league games.’

“I believe we need nine or 10 points to stay in the league, which is less than one point a game.”

Despite the loss at fifth-placed Spennymoor, Johnson was happy with his side’s performance.

“They are one of the top sides in the league and we made it hard for them and that was pleasing,” he said.

“Their manager said to me afterwards that we were probably the best team to have gone to Spennymoor this season in the way we played and the way we went about our business.”

Boro host FA Cup giantkillers Warrington Town on Saturday before visiting Mossley on Tuesday night and third-placed Northwich Victoria next weekend, and with tough games against fourth-placed Scarborough and second-placed Salford City coming up in the next few weeks, Johnson is well aware of the uphill task his side face in order to get points on the board.

"We are playing a lot of the top teams," he said.

"It's up to me, Wayne Goodison and goalkeeping coach Dave Hawarth to get the lads ready.

"We need to prepare, mould and shape the team to make us difficult to beat."