Bernard and Jonno’s men will kick off their pre-season preparations on the road this evening, as we travel to Limeside to lock horns with NPL West Division outfit, Avro.

This fixture provides the managers with the first opportunity to watch their new-look Radcliffe team, including five new signings, aiming to pick up a victory heading into Saturday’s meeting with Squires Gate on the west coast.

The Opposition

Avro have already kickstarted their preparations with two fixtures under their belt after a 1-1 draw at Chadderton last Tuesday, followed by a convincing 4-0 home victory over Droylsden at the weekend, meaning the Boro will certainly have their work cut out if they’re to begin pre-season with a win.

Now under the guidance of former goalkeeper Grant Shenton, a new era is on the horizon for the Oldham-based side who will have promotion on their mind after finishing seventh last season, and a good pre-season campaign could be the key to unlocking a clinical team in the NPL West.

Radcliffe will be hoping to change a poor record of late against tonight’s hosts, after failing to beat Avro in any of our previous five encounters. 

Ones To Watch

Summer signing Cameron Mason provides plenty of experience for his new team having featured at a higher level for the likes of Chesterfield, Curzon Ashton and Chester, now plying his trade in the eighth tier of english football. The 29-year-old has been deemed as a ‘phenomenal goalkeeper’ by his new manager, and will set his sights on impressing Grant Shenton and the Avro faithful alike.

Also trying to keep the ball out of the back of the Avro net will be former Boro player David Fitzpatrick, who left the club to sign for Grant Shenton’s side at the beginning of 2024. The no-nonsense defender has been an ever-present member of Avro’s starting eleven since his arrival, and will be wanting to disrupt his former employer’s pre-season preparations.

Last Time Out

Wednesday 5th July 2023: Avro 1-1 Radcliffe

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.

Radcliffe thought they’d broken the deadlock within the first ten minutes, but an assistant referee’s flag for offside cut short their celebrations. Moments later, Max Davidson couldn’t get any power on a perfectly-weighted chip into the penalty area from Jake Cottrell, but a minute later, the home side were behind when a cross from the left was bundled home inside the six yard box by Jake Thompson.

The remainder of the half was very even, with the main talking points being two penalty appeals which went unheeded. New signing Michael Afuye’s mazy run ended with him going to ground in the box but the referee waved away the Avro protests, whilst as the interval approached, Radcliffe felt that they they should have had a spot kick for handball when Sam Rathbone blocked a goalbound effort.

After the break, both sides made a host of changes, with Radcliffe fielding an entirely different eleven and Avro introducing eight new faces. However, Afuye stayed on and it was another dazzling piece of wing play which earned his side a way back into the game, as this time the referee decided that he had indeed been brought down in the area.

Joe Rathbone’s effort from 12 yards had enough power to find its way into the back of the net, and although it was the Boro who looked more likely to find a winner in the last half-hour, the home defence held firm on a night which provided plenty of positives to take for both teams.

Matchday Information

Date: 08/07/25
Time: 7:45pm kick-off
Location: Vestacare Stadium

Adult: £8
Concession: £3
U8: Free with paying adult 

Tickets can only be purchased at the gate.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Radcliffe Radio will not be available for tonight’s game. However, you can follow the action live via the club’s official X feed.