ROSSENDALE United have turned to girl power as they strive to make an impact in the UniBond League next season -- appointing Claire Fairhurst as their new commerical manager.

The Dark Lane side were promoted to the UniBond First Division last season and, after taking huge strides on the field, are keen to make sure they raise the profile of the club off the field.

And Claire is no stranger to football clubs -- the 27-year-old is the daughter of former Bolton and Burnley striker Paul Fletcher, who was Chief Executive at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium and Bolton's Reebok Stadium and more recently he was the Commerical Director at the new Wembley.

He has since been working with the company who have built the Colonial Stadium in Australia.

"It is a new challenge and I'm looking forward to it," said Claire, who is from Rossendale and, although she has moved to Cheshire, does spend three nights a week in the valley.

"I have worked at both Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers in the administration and PR side and then went to a company called Taylor-made, where we organised hospitality at various events, such as football matches and at the races.

"I had a year off to have a baby, he is one now, and, through a conversation, found out Rossendale wanted a commercial manager and put my name forward."

It was dad Paul who suggested her to Dale chairman Andrew Connolly who was only too pleased with the new addition.

"We are a forward looking club and, the idea is, after doing so well on the field, to try and raise extra revenue off the field so we can keep on going forward," said the Dale chairman.

"With Claire's personality and background she is perfect for the job and by appointing her it shows we are going places. It is exciting times at Rossendale."

And dad Paul said: "I'm delighted that Claire wants to work in football and has joined Rossendale.

"My wife and family have lived in Rossendale for nearly 30 years and I've made no secret of how much I love the area.

"So it's great Claire's helping the local club and I will help her all I can."

Claire says she has detected a 'definite buzz' around Dark Lane and will be taking son Morgan to all the Dale home matches.

"You can sense the excitement after what happened last season. Hopefully the background I have and the knowledge I have picked up at the other clubs will come in extremely useful here.

"It only seems like yesterday that my dad was starting at Colne Dynamoes and he's not done too bad in the last ten years.

"I look forward to visiting the new Wembley one day -- with Rossendale United."

Claire will start by organising match-ball and match sponsorship while she is settling in before setting about firmly establishing Rossendale on the footballing map.