Our 2025 pre-season schedule has been released and we’ve provided a preview of each first-team fixture, as we travel to Avro, Squires Gate and Clitheroe, as well as hosting Crewe Alexandra, FC Halifax Town, and Bury, with an eagerly-awaited return to the Isle of Man to look forward to in the middle.

Game 1 – Avro (A)

Date & kick-off time – 08/07/24 • 7:45pm

Address – Vestacare Stadium, White Bank Road, Greater Manchester, Oldham, OL8 3JH

Kickstarting our pre-season fixtures, the Boro are set to visit the Vestacare Stadium for the first time since 2023, when Jake Thompson’s opener was cancelled out by Joe Rathbone’s second-half spot kick in a 1-1 draw prior to our title-winning campaign.

Now under the wing of former goalkeeper Grant Shenton, the hosts finished just outside of the play-off places in the NPL West Division last season on 64 points, and will be a stern test for Radcliffe who haven’t beaten Avro in any of our last three meetings with the Oldham-based outfit.

Game 2 – Squires Gate (A)

Date & kick-off time – 12/07/25 • 1pm

Address – Brian Addison Stadium, School Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 5DS

Next up, we travel up the M61 and across the M55 to Blackpool, where the Boro will play their second game of pre-season against North West Counties side, Squires Gate. Luke Evans’ men finished at the foot of the Premier Division table last season, and will be wanting a quick rebuild as they prepare for life in the First Division North.

Radcliffe last played at the Brian Addison Stadium back in 2022 when a Bobby Grant hat-trick helped us on our way to a thrilling 4-2 triumph under sunny skies on the West Coast.

Game 3 – Crewe Alexandra (H)

Date & kick-off time – 15/07/25 • 7:45pm

Address – Neuven Stadium, Colshaw Close East, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 3PE

Our homecoming clash sees the Boro welcome EFL opposition to the Neuven Stadium, as League Two’s Crewe Alexandra visit M26 in the middle of July for our first home fixture since our final day draw against Alfreton Town.

The Cheshire-based outfit finished mid-table in England’s fourth tier last season and are likely to bring a full-strength team to Greater Manchester, which will create an exciting contest.

Game 4 – Altrincham (IOM)

Date & kick-off time – 18/07/25 • 3pm

Address – The Bowl, Pulrose Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 1RB

Our first of two fixtures on the Isle of Man sees us lock horns with Altrincham at The Bowl, with the winner playing the team who comes out victorious in the other game that day, Isle of Man vs Fleetwood Town, on Sunday.

The Robins ended the 2024/25 campaign just shy of a play-off place in 9th, after only winning one of their last five league fixtures which saw them fall just short of a chance to secure their spot in the EFL. Jordan Hulme and Brad Jackson will line up against their former employers, in a game that has all of the making of a fascinating encounter.

Read more about the 2025 Summer Festival of Football here. 

Game 5 – Opponent TBC (IOM)

Date & kick-off time – 20/07/25 • TBC

Address – The Bowl, Pulrose Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 1RB

As previously mentioned, our opponent for Sunday’s tie will be unknown until the full-time whistle on Friday afternoon, fixtures and schedule details after that are as follows:

Saturday will be a rest day allowing every club to train, and the players and their fans time to explore the amazing island.

Sunday will see the beaten sides from Friday play each other in a 3rd vs 4th play-off at 11am, before the final between the two winning sides will take place at 3pm.

Tickets for the tournament can be purchased here.

Festival packages including ferry crossings, match tickets and accommodation can be purchased via the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company here.

Game 6 – FC Halifax Town (H)

Date & kick-off time – 22/07/25 • 7:45pm 

Address – Neuven Stadium, Colshaw Close East, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 3PE

Two days later, we welcome National League side FC Halifax Town to our home soil for the third year in a row, looking to maintain our 100% record after previous 2-1 and 1-0 triumphs over the Shaymen in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Now under the helm of former Curzon Ashton and King’s Lynn Town manager Adam Lakeland, the Yorkshire-based outfit have plenty of foundations to build on from last season following a play-off place finish, and will be wanting to finally beat Bernard and Jonno’s team in preparation for their 2025/26 campaign. 

Game 7 – Bury (H)

Date & kick-off time – 26/07/25 • 3pm

Address – Neuven Stadium, Colshaw Close East, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 3PE

The Boro’s penultimate pre-season fixture will see Bury visit the Neuven Stadium in a highly-anticipated local matchup, looking to right the wrongs from our previous encounter with Dave McNabb’s men.

The tie pays tribute to late Radcliffe Chairman Paul Hilton who passed away suddenly at the end of September, a week before Bernard and Jonno’s side were set to face Bury in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Almost a year on, the Paul Hilton Trophy will be up for grabs in an inaugural fixture which will take place annually with alternating venues every summer.

Read more about the fixture here.

Game 8 – Clitheroe (A)

Date & kick-off time – 02/08/25 • 3pm

Address – EcoGiants Stadium, Pendle Road, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1LZ

In the final scheduled fixture of our 2025 pre-season preparations, Clitheroe stand as our final hurdle before league action commences a week later. The Blues currently ply their trade in the NPL West Division, finishing 10th last season under the management of former Accrington Stanley, Stockport County and Rochdale midfielder Sean McConville, who was appointed in December.

Our last meeting with Clitheroe was also a pre-season friendly three years ago, when two first-half goals for the hosts were enough to see off Radcliffe in a 2-0 defeat at the EcoGiants Stadium. Competitive football favours the Boro more however, as our last league fixture against Clitheroe ended in an unbelievable 7-0 victory on our way to securing promotion in the 2018/19 season.

Five further fixtures will also be played by a Radcliffe XI, these are available to view below or on our website here:

Tottington United (A)
Date & kick-off time – 04/07/25 • 7pm 

Garstang (A)
Date & kick-off time – 11/07/25 • 7:30pm 

Elton Vale (A)
Date & kick-off time – 16/07/25 • 7pm

Cheadle Town (A)
Date & kick-off time – 23/07/25 • 7:45pm

Daisy Hill (A)
Date & kick-off time – 30/07/25 • 7:45pm

Tickets for all home fixtures are available to purchase online here, a reminder that 2025/26 season ticket holders will gain free entry to all three of our pre-season friendlies at the Neuven Stadium.