A new public address system has been installed at The Millbank Linnets Stadium and will be in use for the first time at our pre-season friendlies.

The replacement PA has speakers on all floodlight pylons around the ground, meaning a considerable improvement on the old system to further enhance the matchday experience for fans.

The work has been entirely funded through sponsorship from Grangeside of Runcorn.

The servicing, repairs MOT testing and vehicle breakdown business, based in Weston Road, is a member of the Good Garage Scheme.

We are extremely grateful to Alan Mercer at Grangeside, as one of our long-standing sponsors, for his continued and much-valued support.

Thanks once again, Alan.

The Trust Board of Runcorn Linnets regretfully informs members and supporters that Mark Buckley has resigned as chairman and stepped down from the board for personal reasons.

Mark had been a board member since 2009 and was appointed chairman in 2017, after a spell as vice-chairman.

The board wishes to place on record its appreciation of Mark's immense contribution in just short of a decade's involvement with the club. His wide-ranging duties, apart from the chairmanship, have included programme editor, pitch maintenance and public address announcer.

With typical 100% commitment, Mark steered the Linnets' off-field team through the club's most successful season on the field, culminating in Premier Division title success in The Hallmark Security League and promotion to The EVO-STIK League West Division.

While thanking Mark and looking forward to his continued support of the club, the Trust Board is sorry he has chosen to step down but respects his decision and wishes him well.

Vice-chairman Paul Eastup will assume the role of interim chairman while the board further discusses the appointment of the new club chairman.

The goalkeeping position at Runcorn Linnets will continue to be in safe hands as the club embraces a new era in EVO-STIK League football.

Dylan Forth and Matt Holmes have both confirmed they are  willing and ready to continue contesting the No.1 shirt in the newly-promoted team.

Dylan ended the club's title-winning Hallmark Security League Premier Division season in pole position, after joining for the last two months.

A string of impressive performances saw him grab the Linnets' Millbank Player of the Month award for April.

However, the young ex-Aston Villa shotstopper will again have Matt Holmes for company in the goalkeeping department.

Matt has likewise performed to a consistently high level in his time at The Millbank.

The battle between the two is certain to keep both players on their toes and that can only bode well for manager Michael Ellison.

'We want strong competition for places at the club and the goalkeeping role is no different to any other position,' said Ellison.

'Both Dylan and Matt have excellent all-round games and have already shown our fans that they are more than capable of holding down a regular place in the side and doing well for us.

'Whoever starts the season will know full well that they have someone equally able waiting in the wings.

'I am sure there will again be  healthy competition between the pair of them. Long may it continue.'

Pictured: Matt Holmes (left) and Dylan Forth.

The star of last season's title show at Runcorn Linnets will help the club really fit the bill on his return to a bigger stage.

Central defender Jimmy Moore was named 2017-18 Player of the Year by both the supporters and his team-mates as Linnets carried off The Hallmark Security (North West Counties) League Premier Division title.

He is the latest player to pledge allegiance to newly-promoted Runcorn and will be relishing a return to the EVO-STIK (Northern Premier) League.

It means that Michael Ellison's defensive unit continues to take great shape with three regulars in the back four having now committed for the forthcoming campaign.

Louis Corrigan and Aaron Morris had already indicated  they are staying on board.

With experienced 30-year-old Jimmy now following suit,  propects in terms of team planning continue to look very positive for manager Ellison.

Jimmy previously played NPL football for Trafford and the move to Runcorn Linnets last summer, after  a NWCL stint at another Manchester club Abbey Hey, reinvigorated a senior career which began at 17 as a first teamer at Glossop North End.

'Jimmy had a fantastic first season with us as his trophy haul at our end-of-season presentations illustrated,' said Ellison.

'You don't win Player of the Year trophies by accident and to take the vote of both the fans and players in the same season only goes to show that he was outstanding in a title-winning team.

'He was a revelation at centre back and knowing him as I do, he will be determined not to let his standards slip.

'He is so strong and quick but perhaps above all, a great reader of the game, who always seems to be able to sense and snuff out danger equally quickly.'

Ellison added: 'Jimmy really enjoys the atmosphere in and around the club and I am really made up that he is moving up with us into the EVO-STIK.'

The holding midfield player can often be an unsung hero of a team but no one at Runcorn Linnets under estimates the value of Kieran Nolan.

Be it breaking up the play, collecting second balls, supporting or shielding the defence with crucial blocks and tackles or setting up colleagues to make the play, Kieran goes about his work with aplomb.

His contribution in front of the back four certainly doesn't go unnoticed by manager Michael Ellison as a one-time defensive midfieldman himself.

The boss is suitably delighted, therefore, that Kieran will be staying at the club for 2018-19.

Kieran has made himself a regular starter in the pivotal position and because of his maturity, it is easy to forget that he is still one of the youngsters of the team.

'Kieran is still only 21 but prior to joining us in January of last year when he was just short of his 20th birthday, he had been captain of Northwich Vics in the EVO-STIK League,'  said Ellison. 'That tells you an awful lot.

'He had been a centre half at Vics and has slotted in there for us the odd time during games.

'But for me, he is perfectly suited to the holding midfield role and he has done a great job for us in there.

'It's one of the more glamorous positions but it's one of the most important - but I would say that, wouldn't I?'

Ellison added: 'Kieran is growing as a player, proving himself to be a good learner in different aspects.

'I am sure he will be looking to continue that development as he steps back up to the EVO-STIK League.'