RADCLIFFE BOROUGH boss Kevin Glendon has stepped up his search for new players as he prepares for the start of pre-season training next week.

Glendon is all set to sign former Plymouth and Macclesfield striker Richard Landon in time for the big kick-off on August 18 and he has also had talks with former Stoke, Manchester City and Ipswich star Nigel Gleghorn.

Eamon Elliott, a midfield player with Ossett last season, is another in Glendon's sights. The Boro manager has spoken to the 28-year-old Harrogate lad, but may face opposition from his home town club, who play in the same league as Boro -- the UniBond Division One.

Daisy Hill striker Ryan Cain is also on Boro's hit list. The 20-year-old scored 16 goals last season for the North West Counties Division Two side and has had experience with Bolton Wanderers as a youngster.

Glendon is looking for someone to replace Neill Hardy, sold to Stockport County for £25,000 recently and while Hardy is the only member of last season's squad to leave Stainton Park so far, Glendon is keen to freshen things up and add some new talent to the squad.

One player Glendon missed out on was Ramsbottom United centre half Mike Smith. He is set to join Rossendale United, who will be locking horns with Boro next term after moving up from North West Counties Division One.

Smith also played at that level last season of course with Rammy and at 23 should still have a big future in front of him at non-league level.

But Glendon said: "I would have been interested in Mike Smith, but I couldn't guarantee him a game and it would have been daft taking another player on and paying him when he's not getting a game." Glendon might have pursued Smith with more vigour if, as had been widely expected, moves have been made on Boro's clasy centre back, Simon Kelly.

The 22-year-old earned rich praise for some quality performances last season and it would have been no surprise if he had moved on in the close season.

There is still time yet, and Glendon reckons rival managers might take the opportunity to catch up with Kelly's progress against top class opposition when Boro kick-off their pre-season friendlies programme against Premier League neighbours Bolton Wanderers two weeks on Saturday (July 14) at Stainton Park.

Boro follow that up with games against Bury on Wednesday July 18 and Manchester City on Friday July 27. Prices for the Bolton game are likely to be set at £7 for adults and £3 for juniors and OAPs.

The UniBond Division One fixture list is not likely to be out much before mid-July, but we will ensure you are the first to know once the games have been drawn up.

It's D-day for Boro on Monday when they hope to hear from the Football Trust following their application for a 90 per cent grant towards a £330,000 dressing room complex.

Boro would still have to find £33,000 themselves towards the project, which would complement the artificial pitches at Stainton Park, even if they got the grant, but chairman Bernard Manning Junior said: "We would have to find the money from somewhere.

"No-one could afford to turn down the chance to build something as big and as costly as this when you are getting so much money towards it."

There are still places available for Boro's summer soccer courses which begin on July 16. There are spots for children aged 7-16 and the cost is £30 per week with reductions for youngsters wanting two weeks of activity on the Stainton Park artificial pitches. Ring 0161-724 8346.