RADCLIFFE FC's home attendances are showing encouraging signs of an increase.

The first eight fixtures of the current season have brought more than a 100-per-cent hike in crowd figures on the same period last season.

Attendance numbers have been fairly consistent in the current campaign with the lowest – 241 – higher than the best figure in the same opening eight games 12 months ago.

On Saturday, fourth-placed Boro travel to the team one place above them in Evo-Stik West, Mossley, on the back of Saturday's 3-2 home defeat to Cleethorpes Town in the FA Trophy preliminary round where the crowd once again showed the progress they have made in enticing supporters this season.

There were 248 spectators at the Neuven Stadium at that game, a number which has been typical in the opening eight home matches of the season.

The attendance figures in those games – 243, 246, 388, 381, 241, 265, 266 and 248 – have shown a remarkable hike from last season when the opening eight matches at home attracted 173, 125, 118, 98, 106, 137, 81 and 208.

This season's total over those eight fixtures – 2,278 – represents more than a 100-per-cent increase on last season's total of 1,046 over the same period.

It is an indication of the work going in behind the scenes to develop the club and put it closer to the heart of the community, which also includes a link-up with the local junior club.

Boro and Radcliffe Juniors announced a partnership in April which it is hoped will be beneficial to the youngsters of the town and its non-league side.

The intention is to provide a production line of talent which can filter into the Boro ranks while also boosting the number of youngsters and their families who will go to the Neuven Stadium to watch first-team matches.

It is a long-term initiative and, six months into the arrangement Boro manager Jon Macken sees only positives all round.

"They are a part of the football club now," he said.

"They are the future of Radcliffe FC.

"Who knows, in seven to 10 years time some of them may be playing for Radcliffe FC.

"Bringing the two clubs together is good all round. For us it's building the fan base and growing the club as well as providing a pathway for players to go on and play for Radcliffe FC and maybe go on to bigger things in the future."