A FULL-TIME manager at a semi-professional side is a rarity but Radcliffe Boro manager Kevin Glendon has taken the plunge.

He became General Manager of Radcliffe at the end of September and although faced with a difficult task ahead, he feels he can make a success of it.

"With the enthusiasm and business skills of our Chairman, Bernard Manning Jnr, and from the continued support from everybody who has helped put the Club where it is now, I know I have made the right decision." said Kevin.

"I have a brilliant Assistant in Neil Thompson and between us we are really going to put Radcliffe on the map. I've always wanted to do great things here but I've never really had the time. Now I have and I'm going to make the most of it."

Kevin is hoping to raise the profile of Boro among the local community from making a success of the community pitch through to developing commercial links with people in the area.

"No longer will the club be considered second-rate. I see it as one of the leading semi-professional clubs in two or three years time. I have a lot of ambition and there's a great atmosphere in the dressing room" he said "I"ve a fabulous team of players and I hope to be developing a fabulous team of supporters from the business community to the 'Blue Army' and the many supporters who have been with us through thick and thin."

Kevin has the background skills to make this a success. Born in Manchester he was spotted by Manchester City scout, Ken Barnes and was taken through the ranks as an apprentice and then professional. He stayed at City three years, regularly playing in the reserves.

He then moved to Crewe Alexandra, where he made several first team appearances, and to Burnley before going semi-professional with Macclesfield, Northwich and Hyde United.

He then started his career in Football Administration heading up the community scheme at Manchester City before being promoted to Area Manager. A few years later he was made Area Director, involving 30 professional clubs from Carlisle to Coventry. And now Radcliffe Boro.

Chairman Bernard Manning believes he has got THE man: "I've been waiting for this for years. The club has always needed someone to promote it within the community - and I've got THE man! Kevin is brilliant and will lift the Club to heights never-before imagined."

Watch this space.....

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