DEMOLITION expert Andrew Connolly has begun the task of building Rossendale United into a major non-League force.

And no-one is buzzing about it more than new signing Andy Grimshaw.

The tough-tackling midfielder has seen it all in a non-League career which has taken in spells at clubs like Colne Dynamoes, Witton Albion, Morecambe and Chorley.

But the thrill of being back at the club where it all began has given the 35-year-old a new lease of life.

In fact, Grimshaw was thinking of packing in the game at the start of the summer following a 'disastrous' season with Chorley.

But the revolution currently gathering pace at Dark Lane has re-ignited his appetite for the semi-pro game. "What's happened at Rossendale United over the summer has been absolutely amazing," said Grimshaw.

"Andrew Connolly has come in and spent a lot of money in a short space of time and it's transformed the place.

"I always wanted to finish my career back at Rossen-dale after two spells here at the start of my career.

"But I couldn't foresee that happening the way the club was going before all this because I think it probably would have folded if Andrew hadn't stepped in."

Connolly's backing has brought sweeping changes both on and off the pitch.

Dark Lane has been dramatically transformed over the summer months and there are plans to build an adjoining multi-sports and leisure complex. Former Manchester City and England winger David White has been installed as president and Grimshaw is expected to become general manager on a full-time basis in the next couple of weeks, overseeing the general running of the club.

But it's developments on the player front which are causing most of the excitement.

Last season, manager Micky Graham had his hands full trying to scrape together a side capable of competing at First North Western Trains League level. But a host of quality summer signings are sure to give him a different kind of selection headache as he aims to turn Dale into genuine title-contenders, starting with tomorrow's trip to Prescot Cables.

Grimshaw, Jim McCluskie and Ross Millard have all signed from Chorley as well as ex-Stanley trio John Borland, Paul Daughtry and Glenn Little.

Former Blackburn Rovers and Bolton midfielder Mark Patterson may also come on-board after appearing in a pre-season friendly.

And with the likes of Craig Sargeson, Vinnie Patterson and Danny Heys among a promising crop of youngsters left over from last season, Graham has drawn together a formid- able looking squad.

Grimshaw certainly thinks it's an exciting mix although he insists the club have not paid out silly money in order to attract quality players.

"The wages being offered are not what people might think - we are not doing another Colne Dynamoes.

"Every one of the lads we have here are playing for ridiculously little money but what they have been impressed by is how the club is now being run like a professional outfit.

"It's certainly given me the biggest buzz of my non-League career.

"I watched last Saturday's friendly against Squires Gate when we only played four first-teamers and I was absolutely gob-smacked by how good some of the young lads were. "The youth policy at the club couldn't be stronger at a Conference club and that's going to bare fruit for us in the next two or three years.

"We don't want to pay out big wages to bring players in, we want to bring our own talent through the youth ranks."

Whether that youth policy pays dividends or not could depend on Graham's senior players.

The likes of Grimshaw and McCluskie will be charged with the responsibility of nurturing the youngsters.

And it's a challenge which has persuaded the former Colne Dynamoes skipper to shed a stone and a half in a bid to extend his playing career.

"I looked at myself at the end of the season and thought do I get fit or do I pack it in?" said Grimshaw.

"But people told me I could play for another two or three seasons at this level so I decided to get in shape, and I feel fitter now than I've ever been.

"I'll play as long as I think I can still do a job and then when it's time to take a back seat, I will.

"But it's down to the likes of me and Jim (McCluskie) to pass on our experience to the younger lads because there's some young players here who I think could have a future in the professional game."

IN: Andy Grimshaw, Jim McCluskie and Ross Millard (all Chorley), Paul Daughtry and John Borland (Accrington Stanley), Glenn Little (Nelson), Steve Gray (local football).

OUT: Brian Duffy (Bamber Bridge)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.