RADCLIFFE Borough have received a double sponsorship boost ahead of the new season, which kicks off this weekend, with new ground and shirt sponsors.

Boro’s Stainton Park will be known as the Belvoir Stadium this year following investment from the Bury-based letting agency, while online firm Website Medics takes over as the club’s new shirt sponsor after Butcher & Barlow Solicitors’ deal ended in the summer.

“The two deals are very exciting for us,” said Boro chairman Bernard Manning Jnr.

“Belvoir are putting a four-figure sum into the club and it’s obviously a welcome investment. Phil Collet and Chris Roberts are doing well and I think they just want to get their name out there.

“We lost our main sponsor Butcher and Barlow Solicitors, who did us proud for so many years, at the end of last season and I can’t thank Jonathan Aldersley and Anthony Higham enough for what they’ve done over the years. But we are now delighted to recoup some of that financial backing.”

Meanwhile, Andy Hutchinson of Warrington-based Digital Medics says it was too good an opportunity to miss after his sub-company Website Medics clinched Boro’s shirt sponsorship.

The firm, which helps small enterprises gain more business from their websites, is hoping the deal will help get its name out in the local community.

“I’m friends with Simon McMahon, who’s son Sam plays for Radcliffe, and when he mentioned the sponsorship idea to me I thought it was a good business opportunity to create a bit of awareness” he said.

Boro, who begin their Evo-Stik Division One North campaign at home to 2005-06 champions Mossley on Saturday before facing last season’s FA Cup giantkillers Warrington Town away on Tuesday, lost their final warm-up game 1-0 against Manchester League side Stockport Georgians.

But despite a difficult pre-season campaign, boss Danny Johnson is targeting a mid-table berth.

“We want to avoid a relegation battle this season so the target is to get to 50 points,” he said.

Boro will be without suspended midfielder Matt Davies, who was sent off against Salford City at the end of last season, for their opening two games, Tom Hulme is also unavailable.

With new signing Liam Ralph carrying an injury and Matt Landregan, Sam McMahon, Steve Foster and centre-half Keith McGrath all lacking match fitness, an unfazed Johnson believes it will take a few weeks before his side settles.

“I think over the next 10 games we will find our feet,” he said. “It may work in our favour to play some of the top sides early on before they get the chance to get into their stride.”