RADCLIFFE FC are hoping for a bumper crowd against Bury on Tuesday.

Boro expect the Shakers to bring a first-team squad to the Neuven Stadium for the first time in a few years.

The game was traditionally a big night at Radcliffe with hundreds of Shakers fans making the short trip to see a strong Bury team in action.

In recent years, however, the league outfit have opted to take a reserve team to fulfil the fixture.

But Boro, managed by former Manchester City striker Jon Macken, are confident this year will see a return to the original showpiece fixture with Bury sending their first-choice players.

"Historically Bury's first team used to come and play but with the last couple of managers at Bury they brought younger players," said Radcliffe chairman Paul Hilton.

"We spoke to Bury and they are bringing their first team.

"There's a good relationship between us and the new regime at Bury and that's good for us because you could see anywhere over 500 people coming to watch the game.

"You never know there could be upwards of 1,000 – I doubt that many but it's a good game for people to come along and see a league team in a local derby and see some good football because that's the way Jon wants to play."

Macken has been active in the transfer market this year as he prepares for his first full season as a manager after taking over in autumn last year.

He has brought in eight new players including four forwards and has steadfastly maintained he wants his side to play open, attacking football.

Boro were disappointed this week to learn the pre-season friendlies at Winsford and Knutsford scheduled for Tuesday night and this Saturday had to be postponed due to the condition of their opponents' pitches which means the big match against Bury is their next outing.

"We could have done without that," said Hilton. "No sooner did we take one phone call saying one of the games would have to be called off than we got another one saying the other would as well.

"It left us with not enough time to arrange other opponents so our next game is Bury.

"It's not ideal because Jon, his assistant Frank Sinclair and first-team coach Steve Atkinson have worked well with the squad in pre-season and we gave a really good account of ourselves in a 1-1 draw with Southport who are full-time and we matched them throughout."