HE came, he saw, he conquered and now unfortunately he's gone, Boro scoring sensation Jody Banim that is, and he'll be sorely missed.

However, long serving manager Kevin Glendon, who saw the potential the former Manchester United starlet possessed, as usual has negotiated, along with Chairman Bernard Manning, a stunning deal for the club.

Softening the blow will be a cheque for £20,000, a club record transfer fee, together with a canny sell-on clause, should Banim continue to score goals and progress even higher up the football food chain, and a pre-season friendly next year at Stainton Park with Shrewsbury, tipped for a return back to the Football League next season.

"The deal was done purely and simply for the player's development," said Glendon: "We were offered the same money by Unibond teams but Jody has dreamed of a chance of playing full-time and making it in the Football League and this is his opportunity.

"He's a smashing lad and I'm very pleased for him. I'm sad because I didn't want him to go, but I couldn't stand in his way. We don't want to be seen as a club that constantly sells it's best players, but like I said this was an opportunity for the player to better himself.

"It also works in our favour because players know that if they come here they will get a chance to show what they can do and that they will be watched by teams from higher divisions. That helpes me in getting them to Radcliffe in the first place.

"Jody has played a huge part in getting this club where it is now, without his goals we probably wouldn't have got promoted, so we have a lot to thank him for."

Banim could be the final piece in a transfer chain that could see three players change clubs. Shrewsbury see Banim stepping into Luke Rodgers' boots, should Crewe Alexandra snap-up the Shrews striker. He in turn could be a replacement for Dean Ashton, with the Crewe man coveted by Premiership strugglers Wolves.

Behind the scenes Glendon's phone has been red hot, working on deals that could bear fruit as early as tomorrow: "With Chris Denham out injured I've been looking for another forward anyway, now with Jody gone I've stepped up that search and I'm hoping to have two new forwards and a centre back," he said.

Keeping his cards clamped very close to his chest, all he would reveal was that all three are currently with fellow Unibond clubs and one in particular would be a big surprise.

"Life goes on and as a manager you are always looking for players. Jody will be hard to replace, but we will replace him. Shrewsbury offered me one of their youngsters on loan for a month, but I'm after a goal scorer who can grab 20-25 goals a season. I'm currently trying to finalise these deals and I'm confident we will have them in place for the weekend."

One for the future could be Ramsbottom United's latest signing Lee Buggie, the former Bury FC youngster who made one first team appearance for the Shakers. He was watched by Boro on his debut for the Rams in Tuesday night's 1-0 win away to Skelmersdale.

As for the £20,000, it looks like that will be spent on work to extend the stand at Stainton Park, as Boro continue to turn the ground into one worthy of hosting football at a higher level.

Boro make the short trip to Altrincham tomorrow afternoon (3pm).