New Radcliffe manager Lee Fowler is looking forward to the challenge as he leads Boro into the business end of the season.

Fowler takes the reins from Jon Macken who resigned from his post last month and will be assisted by former Liverpool midfielder David Thompson.

The 36-year-old joins Boro after a spell as manager at Ilkeston, his 19-year playing career having taken in spells at Huddersfield, Fleetwood and Doncaster Rovers.

“I’m really looking forward to getting down to hard work and hopefully being able to bring some smiles and continuity to the club and then the players too,” said Fowler, set to take charge of his first game at home to Grantham on Saturday.

“Frank (Sinclair) and Jon have done a fantastic job for this club, you have to give them real credit.

“All of a sudden a lot of things happened in a short space of time, that changed the dynamics of a club on the playing side meaning now I’m here, I want to try and make things day by day better and more connected.

“The group in my opinion has had a lot to deal with mentally and the changes have really affected the group which is natural with managers and key players leaving.

“On the flip side, football players need to understand that football is ruthless.”

Fowler, who has brought in former Bury midfielder Stephen Dawson, joins a club 15th in the BetVictor Premier Division after promotion last term.

“I was a technical player but I also had a real sense of wanting to win and would hate sloppy standards from myself and the people around me, I’m not letting anyone become lazy,” he said. “I think there has been some real sloppiness and acceptance of failure, truth be told.

“The discipline has been a concern even under Jon and Frank.

“Results have shown in the last 10 games the form has gone right out of the window.

“It all comes down to acceptance of standards and the lack of wanting to win.

“I only want good people and work ethics around me –that includes both players and staff.”