CHRIS Lawton is joining the first team coaching staff at Runcorn Linnets after announcing his retirement from playing.

Lawty could not have wished for a better end to his playing career, having netted the final goal of the Linnets' five in the home victory against Squires Gate, which clinched the 2017-18 Hallmark Security League Premier Division title.

The scenes of the veteran centre back being mobbed by team-mates piling on top of him - after he had come off the bench to score - will never be forgotten.

Now the popular defender will help to plot the promoted Linnets' progress in their new EVO-STIK League surroundings.

Manager Michael Ellison said: "We are really pleased that Lawty has agreed to join our backroom team.

"He has had a great non-league career and brings a wealth of playing experience, which will only benefit the club and team as we move forward.

"I know from experience how difficult it can be to hang up your boots but Lawty certainly signed off his playing days on a high note and I have no doubt he will have an awful lot to offer in coaching terms - particularly to our younger players, who can all learn from his knowledge of the game."

Chris had enjoyed his fairytale ending as a player, having returned to the Millbank Linnets Stadium late last year for his third spell with Linnets.

His second had ended with a brief move to Northwich Vics in early September 2017 but he was promptly restored to the Runcorn ranks the following month - his latest debut coming in the Buildbase FA Vase draw at Team Northumbria on October 21st.

A very experienced centre half at this level, Chris' first stint at the MLS saw him named 2011-12 Player of the Season in the annual Supporters Club poll.

In April of that season, he had made himself a hero of the Yellow and Green faithful with a headed winner in the Easter Monday victory over Runcorn Town who he later joined.

His goal for Town at The Millbank in March 2016 saw Lawty become the first player to score for both clubs in the Runcorn derby, although this time it was in a losing cause as Linnets again claimed the points in a 2-1 win

Chris originally joined Runcorn Linnets in November 2010, having been with Trafford FC, and was half of a formidable central defensive partnership with Rob Bodie. He left soon after Joey Dunn's arrival as Linnets manager to join fellow former Millbank favourite Rob Whyte at Runcorn Town.

His two spells at Pavilions were separated by a stint at Atherton Collieries while he also served Barnton as assistant manager. Chris appeared 41 times for Runcorn Town in 2015-16, scoring six goals and claiming three man-of-the-match awards.

Although initially expected to accompany former Town manager Simon Burton to new club City of Liverpool, Chris was at Prescot Cables in summer 2016 before getting the 'come back' call from new Linnets boss Michael Ellison, a former team-mate at the MLS.

He returned to the Linnets fold after a three-and-a-half year absence on the eve of the 2016-17 season to play in the campaign-opening FA Cup tie at Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

Already one of the few players to have played for both clubs in the Linnets/Town derby, Lawty's involvement in the fixture took a new turn on Boxing Day 2016 when he ended up in goal after Linnets then 'keeper  Tom Hunt had been red carded for handling outside his area.

The stand-in No1 defied Town with a confident performance before finally conceding late on in a memorable 1-1 draw.

In total, Lawty has played 143 times for Runcorn Linnets, scoring seven goals.

Runcorn Linnets boss Michael Ellison, a title winner in only his second season in management, has been rewarded with the Premier Division Manager of the Year award in The Hallmark Security League.

Various awards are being announced in the lead up to the league's AGM and presentation weekend in Blackpool and we are sure our fans will join the club in congratulating Ello on his latest success.

The citation posted on the league website reads as follows:

"Michael Ellison is the Premier Division Manager of the Year for 2017/18 after guiding his Runcorn Linnets side to their first League Championship.

It was a record breaking season for the Linnets on a number of fronts. They finished with a (club) record number of points (100) and a record number of goals scored (122), as well as finishing the season with a goal difference of +86, the best in the Premier Division for eight seasons.

Michael took over at the start of the previous season, building a squad from scratch and finishing in a creditable fourth position at the end of the season. This season they started slow, sitting in seventh place at the end of August, but six wins and a draw in September propelled them up to second.

They remained in second until Boxing Day, when a derby win at Runcorn Town moved them to the top of the table, and they remained there until the end of the season.

As well as winning the league, they reached the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup and the Third Round of the FA Vase, but bowed out of the Macron Cup at the first hurdle and Cheshire Senior Cup at the First Round stage.

Michael oversaw 54 games this season, winning 35 of those games (64.8%), drawing nine (16.7%) and losing just ten (18.5%). Linnets scored 137 goals in total and conceded just 52".

Pictured (left to right) are assistant manager Matt Cross, chairman Mark Buckley, Michael Ellison and first team coach Danny Salt with the Premier Division championship trophy.

Title-winning Runcorn Linnets have chance to lift more silverware before the 2018-19 season gets under way.

As Hallmark Security League Premier Division champions, we will entertain Macron Challenge Cup winners Widnes in the Reusch Challenge Cup final.

The contest against our Halton neighbours and last season's league runners-up has now been confirmed for Saturday, July 28th with a 3pm kick off at The Millbank Linnets Stadium.

While giving the newly-promoted clubs chance to build on their recent success, this will for both be a key part of preparations for August's entry into the EVO-STIK League Division One West while providing a fitting farewell to North West Counties football. .

The Champions Cup fixture was restored to the NWCL league calendar in the pre-season of 2016.

City of Liverpool are the holders, having defeated Atherton Collieries on penalties in last year's campaign curtainraiser.

Further details of the Linnets v Widnes game will be announced by the league in due course.

Left back Louis Corrigan will bring his EVO-STIK League experience to bear as we prepare in earnest for life at Step Four - he's the latest influential player to confirm he is staying with the club.

Louis made a significant impact on our successful championship campaign after signing in mid-season, providing a calming influence in his 20 appearances, highlighted by two spectacular free-kick goals.

Louis has starred at both levels of the EVO-STIK League during his career and in 2013-2014, he was named in the former Division One North's All Star team.

Michael Ellison's planning for next season is already starting to gather pace.

Last season's leading scorer Freddie Potter has nailed his colours firmly to the Linnets mast ahead of our EVO-STIK League baptism.

We'll have news later this evening of another of last season's title-winning squad confirming that he is staying.