CLITHEROE could do neighbours Ramsbottom a favour when they meet third-from-bottom Atherton LR at home in NWCL Division One tonight (kick off 7.45pm).

If the Blues win - boosting their slim hopes of taking the title - and Ramsbottom come out on top in their home game against Glossop (7.45), Ramsbottom will leapfrog Atherton out of the relegation zone.

The Rams have won two and drawn one of the their last three games, inspired by the signing of joint-manager Jimmy Clarke's son, Doni, who was recently released by Huddersfield after two years as a pro.

Doni, 21, a former Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupil from Rawtenstall, is staying with the Riverside club until the end of the season, to keep his fitness up until he finds a new club in the summer.

"I'm just glad to be enjoying my football again," he said.

"I was at Huddersfield, on a month to month contract and playing in the reserves, so it was a blessing in disguise really.

"It was a bit of a surprise when they let me go, they said they couldn't afford to keep us on. There were four of us but we weren't even on anything special.

"I just wanted first team football, that's what anybody wants.

"I was disappointed."

Since his release, Clarke has attracted interest from Oldham, Bury, Macclesfield and Kidderminster but has opted to stick with the Rams.

"Oldham said they might come back in for me but I didn't want to sign for anybody.

"I had been doing it every day for five years and then I got this job labouring so I thought I'd have a break.

"But I missed it so I asked my dad if it was okay if I kept myself fit with Ramsbottom.

"I knew Chris Clarke there and a few other players so I thought I'd go down.

"The first two games I played in were completely different to one another. The Flixton game we played superb and won 7-0 but the Congleton game, they came for a point and tried to stifle us and play long balls.

"It was strange after playing for the reserves because all reserve teams try to play football, even if the first teams don't, because in the reserves the results don't matter that much.

"So the Congleton game was a shock."

And playing for your dad's team isn't all it's cracked up to be, as he explains: "I don't like my dad being the manager because I don't like having to call him boss!

"But they are a good set of lads and they've got good players. They will definitely survive. They have to otherwise my dad will be grumpy all summer!"

Also in action tonight, NWCL second division leaders Padiham travel to Holker Old Boys, and Nelson host Oldham Town (7.45).