Manning sees a bright future for Boro

11:32am Thursday 8th May 2008

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BERNARD Manning is predicting a healthy future for Radcliffe Borough after a fantastic ending to a turbulent season.

Manning, who owns the football club but stepped down as chairman in November when he put the club up for sale, reckons Boro will bounce back stronger from a testing season that ended with a silver lining last Monday.

Despite only winning their first league game of the season on December 29, Boro managed to avoid relegation to the North West Counties League before springing a giantkilling on Conference North side Hyde United in the final of the Manchester Cup.

Three home games against breakaway club FC United were a financial a lifesaver for the Stainton Park outfit.

And now Manning is hoping that the club can now move forward - with or without him at the helm.

"I am still willing to listen to offers," said Manning. "However, I am also happy to keep on helping the club move forward.

"I might put the club up for sale more often actually. Last time I did it in the year 2000 we reached the FA Cup first round for the only time in our history. This year when I did it, we went and won a cup.

"We didn't make much money from getting to the finals of the Presidents Cup and the Manchester Cup, but we did okay from having a little run in the FA Cup and FA trophy.

"Playing FC United three times at home was manna from heaven. It's a shame they have gone up in that respect really."

Radcliffe might still be up for sale, but that will not stop Manning and his fellow directors from improving the club during the summer months.

"We have a few ideas for the club," said Manning. "For example, we are keen to develop the bar area. We want to install Sky TV and encourage locals to use it.

"We will be running pool and darts nights and we just want to generate a bit of an atmosphere in there.

"We will be replacing the turnstiles and improving the lighting at the bottom of the ground. There is always stuff we want to improve."

Manning, however, is not anticipating having to strip the team of some of its crown jewells. Teenage defender Craig Dawson has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Accrington Stanley, while 36-goal striker Steve Howson is also highly coveted.

"I don't think we will be under pressure to sell anyone we don't want to," said Manning. "Of course, we still need the co-operation of our bank, but they can see that we are trying and it is looking rosy in many respects."