RADCLIFFE BOROUGH have linked up with Salford College to put together a youth scheme of their very own.

The idea is to take youngsters aged between 16 and 17 who have been with Football League clubs in the area such as Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Manchester City and Manchester United, but have not been offered contracts with them.

They will be able to come down to Stainton Park for coaching sessions with Boro boss Kevin Glendon, himself a former Manchester City and Burnley player, and first team skipper Mark Dempsey, who was on Manchester United's books before moving on to enjoy a successful career with a number of Football League clubs, including Sheffield United and Rotherham United.

Also they will be able to study for qualifications at the college, preferably in the sport and recreation field, although there may well be other courses on offer.

"We want 16 lads aged 16-17 who have been with league clubs for the scheme," said Glendon. "They need to be of a good standard. Lads who have been at league clubs or are on schemes, but feel ours would suit them better are the type of people we are looking for.

"The split will bwe somthing like three days at college and two days here coaching, although some of the course work could be done here at Stainton Park too," added Glendon.

"It's a great opportunity for the youngsters and we plan to arrange games against other clubs who are running similar courses.

"It's another string to our bow. We will be viewing it as a little YTS scheme of our own. "It might not have worked out for the lads at league clubs, but they could come on this scheme, maybe move into our team at Radcliffe Boro and go on again from there.

"It's quite often the case that some lads are late developers and we might just catch one or two of them on this scheme."

The year-long course is due to start in September and trials will be held in July. Anyone interested should ring 0161-724 8346 for further details.

Meanwhile, Boro are hoping to clinch the signing of former Plymouth, Stockport and Macclesfield striker, Richard Landon, in the next week or two.

The 29-year-old hitman is currently on holiday, but Boro manager Kevin Glendon said: "He has said he will join us and I have squared things off with his present club, Altrincham, so it's just a matter of tying things up."

Glendon is also still pursuing his interest in former Bury striker Lee Buggie and veteran Nigel Gleghorn, who had vast Football League experience with Ipswich, Manchester City and Stoke before moving into the non-league scene where he had a spell as manager at Witton Albion, who play in the same league as Boro, last season.