RADCLIFFE Football Club is up for sale -- lock, stock and barrel.

Chairman Bernard Manning Junior and his fellow major shareholders have run out of patience with falling gates and decided enough is enough as they struggle to make ends meet.

The sale of striker Paul Mullin to Accrington Stanley recently for £15,000 raised questions about the financial situation at Stainton Park and the plain truth of the matter is that without such drastic action the club would not be able to meet its normal day to day running costs.

Gates have dropped to well under 200 and Monday night's paying attendance of 74 prompted Manning to take the ultimate decision.

The sale involves the club as a whole -- ground, social club and the adjoining astro turf complex.

All shareholders will be consulted, but with most of the shares in the hands of just three directors, Manning doesn't foresee many objections.

A supporters' meeting was held at the club last week and the immediate future of the club on the playing side is not in immediate jeopardy.

Manning was at pains to point out that even if a buyer could not be found they would continue as at present and the club's fixtures would be honoured.

He explained: "Originally, the meeting had been called for supporters to ask us any questions as we had not had a meeting for some time.

"We are not just going to up and go and let the club cave in. Let's face it, we haven't got a million supporters, but those we have got deserve to know what is going on.

"I've been here for 12 years and I really feel it is time for me to move on. It is not just down to bad results on the pitch, it has developed over a period of time.

"I have done a lot here and I have tried to do my best. There was talk linking me with Oldham Athletic not too long ago and while that is not on the agenda now, I would like to try a new challenge.

"Anybody coming in would certainly be in a lot better position than I was. It's a different animal completely and they may stand a chance."