Runcorn Linnets F.C.

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Runcorn Linnets
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Full name Runcorn Linnets Football Club
Nickname(s) The Linnets
Founded 28 April 2006
Ground Millbank Linnets Stadium
Ground Capacity 1,600
Chairman Derek Greenwood
Manager Joey Dunn
League North West Counties Football League
Premier Division
2015–16 North West Counties Football League
Premier Division, 2nd

Runcorn Linnets F.C. are an English football club based in Runcorn, Cheshire. The club currently plays in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division, the ninth tier of English football, and is a full member of the Cheshire County Football Association. The club is run by a trust, which is an Industrial and Provident Society, and is registered with the Financial Services Authority.[1]

History

The club was formed on 28 April 2006 as a replacement for the town's previous club, Runcorn F.C. Halton, which had resigned from the Northern Premier League due to financial difficulties. The original Runcorn club's biggest success had been winning the 1981–82 Alliance Premier League title, although they failed to reach the Football League as the league's members had voted against them joining. The club is run by the Supporters Trust, which had been set up as "The Linnets Independent Supporters Trust", and the new club joined two levels further down the football pyramid, in the North West Counties Football League Division Two, having been accepted into the league on 17 June. A groundshare with Witton Albion was arranged at the start of the 2006–07 season, until a suitable ground could be found in Runcorn.[2] This was achieved in 2010, when the club moved into a newly built ground on Murdishaw Avenue and named it the Millbank Linnets Stadium as part of a three-year sponsorship deal.

Steve Carragher who had played for and managed Runcorn FC Halton, joined the club as manager,[2] with Mark Philips as his assistant player-manager. Several players from the old club also joined the Linnets.[citation needed] Their first game was a 4–0 away win against Ashton Town, followed by a 5–0 victory at home to Castleton Gabriels. Runcorn finished their inaugural season as runners-up, losing out on the league title to Winsford United on goal difference, and won promotion to the First Division. Thomas Lamb finished the season as top scorer, with 22 goals in all competitions.[citation needed]

In the 2007–08 season, Linnets spent most of their time in mid-table. They won their first ever FA Vase game against Daisy Hill, before losing to Salford City in the First round. After a string of poor results, the board decided that a change of management was needed and Steve Wilkes was appointed as manager in January 2008. They finished the season 12th out of 20 clubs. During the close season, the league was restructured with the First Division becoming the Premier Division. In the 2008–09 season Linnets entered the FA Cup for the first time, winning their first game 3–2 at home to Rossington Main on 17 August 2008. In the next round they lost 4–0 to Curzon Ashton on 30 August.[2] Recently the club have announced a youth team in every age group up to the under 16s.[citation needed] In 2011–12 they are the only team from the NWCFL to get to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.[3]

Stadium

The club used to groundshare with Witton Albion at the Wincham Park stadium in Northwich. However, they had a stated aim to move back to Runcorn with a new stadium project – R2R (Return 2 Runcorn). A working party was established to work towards the move. The club had been in discussion with Riverside College about leasing a plot of land at the Runcorn Campus, but this proposal was rejected. The next plan involved a move to Halton Sports in Murdishaw, Runcorn for the start of the 2010–11 season, and this has now been completed, largely due to the backing of the local council. The club's aims were to build a ground that would meet the Northern Premier League standard, together with a Community centre which would be used as the clubhouse on matchdays. The club also want to include an all-weather pitch on the site for use by local sporting organisations and groups.[4] The opening match took place on Saturday 17 July 2010 at 3pm (BST). This match was a friendly against Witton Albion, partly as old rivals but mainly as an appreciation of their help in establishing a base for Runcorn Linnets FC in its foundation years.[5]

        Honours

        NWCFL League Cup:

        * Champions: 2012/13

          Players

          As of 5th December 2015.[6]

          Current squad

          Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

          No. Position Player


          – England GK Dean Porter
          – England DF Michael White
          – England DF Kieron Brislen
          – England DF Michael Duffy
          – England DF Tom Hardwick
          – England DF Adam Donohue
          – England DF Danny Hand
          – England DF River Humphreys
          – England MF Kyle Armstrong
          – England MF Kyle Hamid
          – England MF Michael Ellison(Capt)
          – England MF Michael Simpson
          – England MF Franny Smith
          – England MF Jamie Weeder
          – England MF Adam Wade
          – England FW Mark Houghton
          – England FW Anthony Hickey
          – England FW Allan Collins
          – England FW Taylor Kennerley
          – England FW Freddie Potter
          – England FW Kurt Sherlock
          – England FW Ryan Cox
          – England FW Steve Jones

          Non-playing staff

          As of 5th December 2015.[7]
          Name Role
          England Derek Greenwood Chairman
          England Hedley Edwards Vice-Chairman
          England Lynn Johnston Club Secretary
          England David Bettley Trust Secretary
          England Joey Dunn First Team Manager
          England Stuart Humphreys First Team Assistant Manager
          England James Standing First team Coach
          England David Ness First team Coach
          England Lee Luscombe Goalkeeping Coach
          England Jimmy McBride Chief Scout
          England Lewis Dunwoody Video Analyst
          England Carl Rutter Club Senior Physiotherapist
          England Paul Blundell Kit Manager

          Attendances

          Averages

          The average home league game attendance for the 2015–16 season was 324, placing Runcorn Linnets 1st for the division, and is an decrease of 10.8% from the previous season.

          Past averages:

          Source: Tony Kempster's site Non-League Matters NW Counties Football League site

          League history

          Season Division Position Significant Events
          Joined the North West Counties Football League in 2006
          2006–07 NW Counties Division Two 2nd Promoted
          2007–08 NW Counties Division One 12th
          2008–09 NW Counties Premier Division 11th
          2009–10 NW Counties Premier Division 11th
          2010–11 NW Counties Premier Division 12th
          2011–12 NW Counties Premier Division 5th
          2012–13 NW Counties Premier Division 6th
          2013–14 NW Counties Premier Division 2nd
          2014–15 NW Counties Premier Division 2nd
          2015–16 NW Counties Premier Division 2nd

          See also

          References

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          External links

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