RADCLIFFE chairman Paul Hilton won’t settle for consolidation in the Evo-Stik Premier Division next season.

Promotion sealed via the play-offs, Boro are now looking to build on the momentum they have gained in a memorable campaign.

Jon Macken is already eyeing players who can improve his squad and with building work also under way at the Neuven Stadium to improve facilities, Hilton says there is no chance his club will waste time patting themselves on the back.

“It was a fantastic achievement getting promoted but it was what we expected,” he told the Radcliffe Times.

“We have been building this now for three years and even immediately after the play-off final we were putting plans in place, identifying players, making sure we keep moving forward.

“Anyone in football should look at the new season and want to win the league. Sure, you might have to manage expectations accordingly but we fully expect to be challenging sides in this division, not just consolidating.”

Success this season has seen home crowds improve by a whopping 78 per cent, culminating in a gate of more than 1,200 for the play-off final victory against Leek Town.

Hilton is keen to tap into an improving relationship between local football fans and the club.

“We’re slap bang in the middle of a town of 35,000 people and yes there’s City or Bolton or Bury but we can be that personal club, a local club,” he said.

“If we can offer success then people will follow us and feel that they belong.

“We want to make the town proud.”

Off the pitch, Hilton says further improvements will be made to the stadium including a larger bar and club house area to cater for potentially bigger crowds next season.

“We’ve done a lot of work in the last three years but with the buzz that has been created this season we want people to feel this is their club, make them more comfortable here watching their football and enjoy the experience,” he added.