BILL Prendergast is looking to follow the lead of Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri as he takes over as Radcliffe Borough manager.

Leicester have stunned football by winning this season's Premier League title and Prendergast wants to replicate their spirit on his return to Radcliffe.

The former Crewe academy director had a brief spell as Boro boss early in 2015 and is now back at the Belvoir Stadium after Danny Johnson opted to step down at the end of the season.

Since leaving Boro, Prendergast has been managing Northwich Manchester Villa in the North West Counties League.

But he has maintained his contacts in the Evo-Stik First Division North and feels this is the ideal opportunity to step back up to that level.

“The big story at the moment is Leicester City and how they managed to do it,” said Prendergast.

“It's not always about paying the most money, it's about working hard and training properly.

“I've not come in to buy the league, I want to put the right environment in place for people to get better.

“I believe there's a way to be successful in non-league football and I've been putting things in place to implement that.

“Radcliffe wasn't quite ready for it when I was here before, but I'm certain that now is the right time.

“We feel we've got a good nucleus of players and in order to get the best out of them you have to give them the right tools, such as decent facilities.”

Boro plan to train twice a week, once at the club and once on an 11-a-side 3G pitch in Ardwick.

“I'm essentially a coach, and I believe I can get the best out of players," Prendergast added.

“We'll be training twice a week, on a full-size pitch, so the club is now in a position to do what I want to do.

“I'm excited about what can be achieved and I can't wait to get started.”

While Prendergast has secured training facilities, change continues to take place off the field.

New chairman Paul Hilton has announced another three appointments, with Pete Lofthouse set to be based at the club full-time as operations manager.

Lofthouse has been with Boro for 13 years and along with his duties as community officer and academy manager, he manages the day-to-day operational running of the club, which has been acknowledged in his new title.

“Pete's appointment allows us to ensure that we preserve the traditions of the club while looking to the future,” said Hilton.

“Pete will be an important part of the team and the link to all areas of the club is vital. He has been an integral figure in bringing new investment into the club.”

Londoner Ben Hiard has moved to Radcliffe to join as commercial manager having had a decade of events management experience.

And Matt Bostock is now Boro's press officer having already assisted with the production of the club magazine.