If you’re fans of non-league football, or football in general, you’d be hard-pressed not to have heard of Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley
Rising to prominence during the transformation of Salford City under the Class of ’92, the duo were central to turning ambition into reality, guiding the club from Step 4 all the way to Step 1.
More recently, the pair took charge at Radcliffe FC, leading the club to the Northern Premier League title last season and into the National League North for the first time in their history.
And they haven’t just made up the numbers. Radcliffe currently sit fourth in the table, firmly in the play-off picture and very much ahead of schedule.
Last week, however, it was announced that Johnson had departed the club. But not without cause.
Johnson left to take the reins at his hometown club, the phoenix rebirth of Bury FC.
Bury’s well-documented fall from the EFL, following ownership failures and mismanagement, saw the original club expelled and reborn. Now back at their spiritual home of Gigg Lane, the club are once again on the rise.
Bury currently sit top of the NPL Division One West, averaging crowds north of 3,000—figures almost unheard of at Step 4. Johnson’s immediate task is simple: keep the momentum going and deliver a title.
On the surface, leaving a high-flying Radcliffe side may seem puzzling. But hometown pull is powerful. Johnson admitted himself that this move felt right. This is home—where he once stood on the terraces before carving out his own playing and managerial career.
The opportunity to create memories at his boyhood club was simply too strong to ignore.
Johnson’s departure leaves Morley standing alone at Radcliffe—but not unsupported.
A former Radcliffe player during the 2005/06 season, Morley has deep roots at the club and has just signed a new two-year deal, keeping him at Neuven Stadium until 2028. It’s a clear show of faith from the board and a statement of intent from Morley himself.
Both Radcliffe and Bury have genuine potential to achieve something special this season. And while the partnership has temporarily split, few would bet against Johnson and Morley crossing paths again in the future—because football, especially non-league football, has a funny way of bringing stories full circle.
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