Radcliffe boss looks at big picture as he lets players go in search of games

League officials have voiced their support for declaring a second season ‘null and void’ with all fixtures suspended until at least March 6.

That means the immediate future is uncertain for Boro and other clubs but Fowler says he moved quickly to try and find his squad opportunities with football from the National League North upwards continuing as things stand.

Forward Kole Hall, on loan, and midfielder Simon Lenighan, on dual registration terms, have joined AFC Telford, while Andy Owens has landed at Chorley, also on a dual registration deal.

Radcliffe v Witton. Picture: Haydan Roberts Andy Owens

Others could follow the trio in exploring opportunities elsewhere but for Fowler it’s just common sense.

“We love the players, they’re not just pieces of meat,” he said.

“The way we do things as a football club and me as a manager, we invest in people.

“When we knew the season was stop-start and we didn’t know when we were going to resume, the first thing I thought was: ‘Can we get any of these lads playing? Can we get them up higher?’

“The first thing I did was ring around managers and quite a few of them have taken our players in.

“We’re trying to help our players earn a living and continue to play football.

“Whether it’s training, playing or for their mental health. If the players do want to ultimately go higher then fair play to them.

OPPORTUNITY: Kole Hall is on loan at AFC Telford

“I’ve got full confidence in me as a manager and us as a club that they won’t get what we’re trying to do elsewhere.”

One person leaving the club permanently is Fowler’s assistant David Thompson, the former Liverpool midfielder electing to call time on his spell at Boro for personal reasons.

“He came in with me at the start, was massively supportive and really embraced the football club,” the Radcliffe boss said.

“For someone who has had such a good career he bought into everything we were doing but with Covid, he just felt he couldn’t commit to it any more with it being so stop-start and the way the world is.

“He was also missing out on time with his family when there was no end goal.

“It was the right decision for him, he wished me all the best and is still supportive of the club and he’ll still probably come to games.

“I thank him for the support he gave me. It is a blow but football moves on and now I’ve got to look to replace Thommo which will be done over the next couple of weeks.”

Elsewhere, former Shakers and Radcliffe midfielder Neil Danns has left Halifax after a brief spell with the National League side.

The 38-year-old midfielder made five appearances for the club having joined from Boro in November.

Danns started the season with Fowler’s side after leaving Tranmere at the end of last season, then being allowed to depart to take the opportunity in the top tier of non-league.

Town boss Pete Wild told the Halifax Courier: “We’ve looked at where we need to strengthen as a team and we felt that having four holding midfielders wasn’t necessary, so we felt it was better that we pushed on with three holding midfielders and we try to strengthen in other areas.

“One thing I will say is that Dannsy might not have got the game-time that we both hoped he would, but off-the-pitch he’s been fantastic, on the training ground, in the dressing room, especially with our younger players.

“He’s brought so much to us off-the-pitch and we really thank him for everything he’s brought to us because he’s been excellent in and around the club.”