RADCLIFFE Borough have offered some of their players LESS money than they were on last season, despite promotion to the UniBond Premier Division.

Three of last season's playing staff -- striker Neill Hardy and midfielders Barrie Keeling and Scott Wilson -- have turned down offers from manager Kevin Glendon and are either joining or looking for other clubs.

Hardy, who rejoined Boro from then Nationwide First Division club Stockport County at the beginning of last season, said: "It's a pity because I was looking forward to playing for the Boro again next season in the Premier Division, particularly with the new dressing room facility to look forward to as well, but when you are offered less than you were on the previous season there was nothing else I could do but say no.

"Last season I was in a good position because I had come from a First Division club and I had plenty of offers. It's not quite the same now, but I have had approaches from Altrincham and one or two other clubs."

Hardy has not completely closed the door on turning out for Boro next season. "I've got a meeting with Kevin tomorrow," he added. "I thought it was a little bit too soon to be asking people to commit themselves to next season, but you never know what comes up and we will just have to wait and see what happens," added Hardy.

Keeling's exit will be a big disappointment after his excellent displays last season, particularly towards the end of the campaign.

The all-purpose bustler was a revelation in midfield and many were looking forward to seeing if he could carry that form into the Premier Division come the start of the new campaign in August.

"It was money and a few other things and I fancied another change," said Keeling, who was planning to inform Glendon of his intentions to join Stalybridge Celtic.

"It is a little bit diappointing regarding the situation with Barrie," said Glendon. "It was always going to be hard to give him what he was looking for."

The good news for Glendon is that the rest of his squad barring Hardy, Keeling and Wilson, who is joining Rossendale United, have all signed up for next season at least.

Top scorer Jody Banim, who banged in over 40 goals last term, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal and central defender Dave Brown, who turned in some solid displays at the back after he was snapped up from neighbours Salford City towards the end of last season, has also re-signed.

Goalkeeper Danny Hurst is also set to stay with the Boro, despite the attentions of a number of Football League clubs, notably Sheffield Wednesday.

There are no further developments regarding Hurst moving to Hillsborough long term. "Wednesday have sacked all their coaching staff, so the people who were dealing directly with Danny have gone," saud Glendon.

Now the Boro boss will rest up prior to the start of pre-season training in a few weeks time -- and he will be keeping his fingers crossed in the hope that chairman Bernard Manning Junior and his board of directors will be able to come up with some cash to help with squad strengthening.

"We got nothing for going up and we are on the same budget for next season as we were for last.

"We can't even ask the sponsors for more money just because we have gone up into the Premier Division," said Glendon.

"I will just have to wait for the chairman to give me a figure and then I will be able to see what I can afford," he added.