CHRIS Makin has played only two games for Radcliffe Borough since signing for the clubs several weeks ago, but his Premier League pedigree was there for all to see in their 1-1 draw at Trafford.

The 36-year-old former Prestwich High School pupil was forced to retire on doctor’s advice while at Southampton two years ago, but has joined the UniBond League Division One North outfit as part of his training for the Great Manchester Run on May 16.

The ball-playing defender is no stranger to Boro after his cousin Mark Dempsey, a midfield playmaker, used to play for the club a decade ago.

“I knew the people at the club and it seemed a great way of helping my training for the run,” said the former Oldham and Sunderland player.

“I’ve agreed to stay until the end of the season. We’ll see how it goes, and after that we’ll sit down and talk about where we go from there – I may come back for the pre-season.

“I’m really enjoying it. They’re a great set of lads. I love the camaraderie of the dressing room. I’m very comfortable here because I know the area very well and they play the game the right way.”

Borough take on rivals and play-off candidates Leigh Genesis at Chorley’s Victory Park tonight.

Boro’s director of football Gerry Luczka, who spent three years at Genesis during the most successful spell in their history, shuffled his pack dramatically on Monday as his men dug out an gutsy 1-1 draw at Trafford thanks to captain Mark Jones’s equaliser.

That followed a 3-2 home win over struggling Rossendale United on Good Friday which went some way towards atoning for the catastrophic collapse at Ossett Albion three days earlier when they surrendered a two-goal lead by conceding four goals in 12 minutes.

Matches are coming thick and fast for the men in blue and, after making five changes at Trafford, Luczka expects to make the same number again against Leigh to freshen things up.

Two enforced changes will be required with Ben Wharton and Jones suspended for four and three matches respectively as a consequence of the 21-brawl at Trafford in the Manchester Premier Cup semi-final two weeks ago in which both players were sent off.

Boro travel to Mossley on Saturday.