WHAT Radcliffe Borough chairman Bernard Manning Junior would not do to unearth another goalscoring legend like Jody Banim right now.

The club’s former front man has been trending on social media over the past few weeks as Jamie Vardy edged closer to breaking his record of scoring in consecutive games in English football.

Banim, now 37, hit the net in 14 straight matches for Boro in 2003 during a glittering spell at the club that saw him score 97 goals in 125 appearances.

His record remains intact as Vardy was left stranded on 11 following the Leicester City target man’s failure to add to his extraordinary tally at Swansea last weekend.

And as Boro fans took the chance to hark back to Banim’s superb spell at the club on Twitter and Facebook, the memories came flooding back for Manning Jnr.

“Jody has to be my favourite ever Boro player,” said the chairman.

“He came to us in 2002 and set off like a house on fire before eventually being sold to Shrewsbury.

“For one reason or another he wasn’t able to repeat that kind of form anywhere else, but he was absolutely unbelievable for us.

“Kudos has to go to Kevin Glendon, who brought him to Boro and got the best out of him.

“Jody was an individual. Kevin saw that and gave him a free role that really suited him.

“As a non-league chairman, he was the kind of talent that you dream of unearthing.

“They only come along once in a blue moon, you just have to keep looking and hoping that you can find something in a player that other people have missed.

“Jody had already had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus by the time he came to Boro, but it just clicked for him here and you have to hope another one will come along like him one day.”

Since Banim’s departure to play in league football, Boro have since given Craig Dawson a platform for success at a higher level.

The centre-back was snapped up by Rochdale before going on to play for West Brom in the Premier League.

“Craig has gone on to make a real career for himself,” added Manning Junior.

“But while he has made his millions as a top flight footballer, Jody still stands out for me as the most unique talent we have ever had here.”

Boro could certainly do with Banim’s goals at present as they struggle at the wrong end of Evo-Stik First Division North.

After last weekend’s match at home to Farsley Celtic was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, they remain third-bottom, just one place and two points above the relegation zone.

Danny Johnson’s men face a tough task if they are to add to their tally at promotion hopefuls Ossett Albion on Saturday.

The club remain on the look-out for fresh talent, however, and have enlisted the help of former Manchester City legend Peter Barnes.

The Blues legend is holding a series of development coaching classes at the Belvoir Stadium every Monday from 5pm-6pm. For further details, call the club on 0161 724 8346