DANNY Johnson believes Radcliffe Borough have a bright future despite announcing he will stand down as manager this summer.

The Boro boss confirmed after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Scarborough that he will resign at the end of the season.

That decision followed news that Bernard Manning Jnr is looking for someone to replace him as chairman and to bring new investment into the Evo-Stik First Division North club.

Johnson has been frustrated by a lack of finances at Stainton Park since taking charge last February but feels Boro can still compete at step four of the non-league ladder.

“Managing a football club is an unenviable task and this season has been my toughest by some distance,” explained the ex-Ashton and Nantwich boss.

“At this level players can pick up £150-200 a week quite easily but we’re paying £15-20, so we can’t compete financially.

“At the moment I’m not in the right position to be able to recruit players who can play for basic expenses.

“Hopefully the club can find someone who is - and to bring in new investment and sponsors – and I believe my decision will help the process of bringing in a new chairman and committee as it is now a blank canvas for the new members to work from.

“But I don’t fear for the future of the club. It is a great club with a great infrastructure, great community links and a great facility.

“There are some excellent up-and-coming players who now need to learn from this season. We’re not far off winning games regularly - and we showed that on Tuesday night.”

Fans’ favourite Steve Foster left for Ramsbottom last week and Johnson announced his decision before Boro visited Ossett Albion in midweek.

With Albion chasing the play-offs, it seemed a tall order, yet Boro managed to pull off a 2-0 win, with Jodie Banim and Sam McMahon scoring early in each half.

“It was a great response by the players,” said Johnson. “But we have been in the majority of games this season.

“We’ve not really been drubbed that often, so our goal difference is quite good for a side that’s fourth-bottom. It’s certainly a lot better than the teams around us.

“But when you lose you normally dwell on the game for two or three days. Recently we’ve been playing Saturday-Tuesday, so that’s your week gone. I have a young family that need to be put first.”

Boro’s surprise midweek win put seven points between themselves and the relegation zone.

They now have 13 games left, beginning with Saturday’s home match against mid-table Witton Albion, and Johnson aims to finish with a flourish.

“I believe the club’s in a much better place than when I took over,” he said. “I didn’t have a team in the summer.

“I may stay on next season and help out in some capacity but it won’t be on the football side.

“Until then I will give the chairman and the club nothing less than 100 per cent.

“The players and management team need to stand up and be counted to ensure we finish the season on a high.”