RADCLIFFE Borough owner Bernard Manning has spoken of his delight at returning as chairman of the Stainton Park club thanks to outside investment.

Manning and fellow shareholder Kevin Glendon have unveiled ambitious plans to develop Boro as a community-based football club after it looked at one stage as though it would be sold to one of several un-named interested parties who came forward during the festive period.

That was after Manning announced he had run out of cash to pay the players in December, culminating in the resignation of manager Gerry Luczka and his assistant Peter Freakes two weeks ago.

Former Bury and Crewe player Benny Phillips, aged 50, has been appointed to the vacant manager’s position and would have been in charge if their home match against fellow Evo-Stik Division One North strugglers Trafford had not been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Phillips, pictured, is a former manager of Bradford Park Avenue, Mossley and Witton Albion and first-team coach at Stalybridge Celtic.

Meanwhile, long term plans are now in place to build a new club shop and improve catering facilities, while an immediate cash injection of £20,000 will finance the Boro team until the end of the season.

“We hope that this has allayed any fears,” Manning said.

“I am delighted to be staying and bringing forward plans to develop the ground as well as help develop more income streams for the club. In the end, I didn’t want to leave.”

And he paid tribute to former Boro manager Glendon who has been acting in a fundraising capacity.

“Kevin has been quite instrumental in bringing in finance from different areas,” Manning added. “He has also managed to keep our creditors sweet.

“More importantly, he will be organising our annual golf day, which always generates a lot of important revenue for the club.

“At the end of the day, it is a huge relief that there is now light at the end of the tunnel.”

Boro travel to Lancaster City on Saturday and entertain Garforth next Tuesday, kick off 7.45pm.