We are delighted to welcome back into the first team picture Kasie Jones, who has signed EVO-STIK League forms with Runcorn Linnets tonight.

Promising teenage midfield player Kasie, as one of Runcorn Linnets' representatives in the Cheshire FA Youth team, broke into our senior squad at the beginning of last season.

Also able to play at full-back, he made three further appearances on the back of his debut on September 16th in a 3-0 home victory over Maine Road. His four outings included two starts.

Great to see you back, Kasie!

Our inaugural campaign in the EVO-STIK League Division One West will launch with a trip to Droylsden.

The only previous meeting of the clubs was in August 2014, when we lost a preliminary round FA Cup tie at The Butchers Arms 4-0.

The new season opener on Saturday, August 18th will be followed by a home game on Tuesday, August 21st. This will see a first-time match-up with Chasetown.

Fixtures over the festive season will bring an away game against Widnes on Boxing Day, which is this year on a Wednesday,  and a New Year's Day (Tuesday) encounter with Skelmersdale United at the MLS.

Runcorn Linnets have only ever met Skem in friendlies, but are due to visit them for our initial competitive clash on Monday, August 27th.

The Trust Board of Runcorn Linnets has elected Mike Bignall (pictured) as club chairman in succession to Mark Buckley, who resigned recently for personal reasons.

At the same time, Jon Urquhart becomes vice-chairman with both being voted in unopposed to take up their positions immediately.

As deputy chair, Jon takes over from Paul Eastup, who has chosen to stand down because of business commitments. Paul will, however, stay on the board to continue his work in the Trust club's finance team, alongside other duties.

New chairman Mike, 44, works as a compliance monitor for a leading mobile communications company and became a Trust Board member at fan-owned Linnets 19 months ago.

Since successfully standing for election at the December 2016 AGM, he has taken a keen interest and a full and active role in the operational side of the club.

He has co-ordinated new sponsorship opportunities, attracting new partners, and is also the licensee at the Millbank Linnets Stadium.

Mike said of his appointment and ambitions for the future of the club: "It's with mixed emotions I take on the role of  chairman. Mark has done an amazing job to get the club this far over the last two years and I was saddened to see him step down.

"But I can't wait to start working with Jon and the rest of the board, and of course the management team, players and supporters. We have an amazing club and a lot to look forward to."

Jon, 41, has been a lifelong supporter of the Linnets and is employed as a manager in the warehousing industry.

He was co-opted earlier this year for a second spell as a Trust Board member.

Jon believes that exciting times lie ahead for the club after Hallmark Security League title success for the first team in 2017-18 and with it, promotion to the EVO-STIK League.

"Continuing the hard work and endeavour that Mark and Paul put in is not going to be an easy task, but it is a challenge that I am really looking forward to getting my teeth into, alongside the new chairman Mike, who I have known personally for a long time.

"Hopefully we can work together to bring continued success to the club, both on and off the pitch."

Jon has already filled a variety of roles at Linnets and will continue as kit manager for the club's first team.

Draws for the opening rounds of the Emirates FA Cup and Buildbase FA Trophy have been made.

As announced yesterday, we will open our FA Cup campaign in the extra preliminary round on Saturday, August 11th - meaning our competitive first-team season begins a week earlier than planned.

We will be at away to Hallam with the winners hosting Maltby Main or Athersley Recreation in the preliminary round on Saturday, August 25th.

Our first-time inclusion in the FA Trophy - the primary cup competition for clubs at Step 1 to Step 4 of the National League System - will begin with an extra-preliminary round tie.

We will be at away to Atherton Collieries on Saturday, September 29th with Marske United ready to host the winners in the preliminary round on Saturday, October 13th.

The player whose form perhaps best mirrored title-winning Runcorn Linnets' consistenncy in 2017-18 will be looking to continue his good work in the forthcoming season.

Danny O'Brien was named as the club's Millbank Player of the Month three times in succession last season and landed December's equivalent Macron award in The Hallmark Security League Premier Division for good measure.

In fact, right back Danny's performance level very rarely dipped during the entire campaign.

The former Cammell Laird 1907 player has now committed to the club for the new season on his return from holiday.

Manager Michael Ellison said: 'Danny has been a crucial part of the way the team has developed over the last two seasons, culminating in our championship success.

'He is unflappable, always calm but also switched on.'

Ello added: 'There is no much more about Danny than just his very good full back play as he is, of course,  adept at pieces - be it sending in corners or scoring from free-kicks and penalties.

'I am very pleased to say that he is with us again for the new season.'