RADCLIFFE Borough's future is in safe hands as they go into the new UniBond League Division One campaign.

Stocksbridge PS are the visitors to Stainton Park for the 2000-2001 opener -- but they will have to beat a 19-year-old goalkeeper who Boro boss Kevin Glendon rates as a real star in the making if they are to make their trip from South Yorkshire worthwhile.

Last season's top scorer Paul Mullin, who fired in 22 goals in the 1999-2000 season, will carry a lot of responsibility on his young shoulders as Boro bid to go hard for promotion once again.

But it's Danny Hurst that most people will have their eyes on between the sticks as he steps in against Stocksbridge to fill in for regular No. 1, Steve Berryman, who has a shoulder injury.

Hurst was picked up from Cheadle Town after a phone call alerted Glendon to the youngster's talents.

And the Boro boss raved: "I can't believe no-one else has sorted him out. He's different class.

"Danny has looked really, really top notch with some of the things he has done in the pre-season build-up."

Hurst is one of 17 players Glendon has to choose from after his summer recruitment drive. Some of the other new faces are striker Neil Hardy, who banged in 21 goals to help Altrincham to promotion in the 1998-99 season. Last term he bagged another 14 for Morecambe in the Conference.

Burnley has been a rich source of talent for Glendon too as he has taken on three players from the Turf Moor club following their promotion to the Nationwide League Division One last season.

Striker Dave Collins, centre back Ian Callaghan and midfield man Eamon Kelly -- all just 19 -- are now on Boro's books, along with another central defender, Simon Turpin, who has made the move from Winsford Town.

Stocksbridge have former Bury and Burnley striker Liam Robinson in their ranks and another former League player in Wayne Biggins, who had a lengthy spell at Stoke City, could be a thorn in Boro's side on Saturday.

Glendon looks back to a potential omen as Stocksbridge come calling, for the last time Boro played them on the opening day of the season Boro went on to win promotion.

That was three years ago and a repeat -- with a little added bonus of victory this time for Boro -- would go down really well.

"They beat us 1-0 that day and a win this time would make things easier for us," said Glendon. "We have a young side at the moment and it's important that we do well this coming season in order to hold on to the new players I have signed on."

Stocksbridge finished ninth in the UniBond First Divsion last season, but Glendon warned: "They have brought some new players in and they will be pretty competitive."