IN addition to bolstering his current squad for the end of season promotion play-offs, Radcliffe Boro manager Kevin Glendon has also started the building process for next season.
The addition of former Rochdale defender Ian Duffy will certainly bolster the squad for the remainder of this season, and Glendon hopes he will also figure in his plans next season.
"He signed for us on Saturday after watching the Marine game," explained Glendon.
"He lives locally in Oldham, he's only 22, he's played 35 games for Rochdale and it's a good opportunity for him to have a good look at us for the remainder of this season, and us at him.
"I get the impression he already likes the set-up here, so it just appears to be a matter of whether he's what we need. But I wouldn't be giving him this opportunity if I didn't think he could fit in."
And with the 2004-2005 season firmly in mind, Glendon has already made a start on his team building.
"I've already spoken to the chairman about what I've got to spend next season, even though I don't know what league we'll be," he said.
" Whichever league we're going to be in, Richard Battersby and Simon Kelly are two players I'd want with me and I'm delighted they've decided to commit to the club and sign two-year deals."
And it sounds like they may be the first of many.
"I'm looking to build a squad of 16 to 18, if the next 15 or 16 are of the same quality I'd be more than happy.
"I've spoken to the others this week and I've given them a little bit of time to think about it.
"If they're not prepared to pledge their future to the club, I'll use the money allocated for them to bring someone else in. I only want people who want to go the whole hog with us.
"We know what we want to achieve next year, if we don't go up to the Conference North Division through the play-offs, we want to be winning the Unibond Premier.
"So to stay in the new league or win the one we're currently in, I think we're going to need to bring in about eight to nine new players for next next season.
"That is probably the biggest influx of players I'll have brought in at the beginning of any one season since I've been here.
"I've already made offers to a number of new lads, and judging by their reactions I'm really hopeful they'll join us."
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