TITLE-WINNING Runcorn Linnets' impressive credentials in attack and defence were reflected in the individual accolades at the club's first-team awards ceremony this evening.

At the end of his first season with the club, centre back Jimmy Moore was presented with the Jimmy Lightfoot Trophy for Supporters Club Player of the Year plus The George Worrall Trophy as Players' PoY.

Meanwhile, there were several awards for star striker Freddie Potter.

Alan Jones's annual President's Award winner as Leading Goalscorer, the 25-goal marksman (who finished one goal clear of Stuart Wellstead) was also named Young Linnets' Player of the Year – lifting the Phil Tyler Trophy.

Freddie collected the Wilf Bettley Trophy for Goal of the Season – the first of his important brace in the league victory at Ashton Athletic, which took Michael Ellison's men to the brink of The Hallmark Security League Premier Division championship.

The popular centre forward was meanwhile named Linnets Updates PoY on account of his successes in the season-long Player of the Match polls on the unofficial twitter site, run by supporter and club volunteer, Ste Bignall.

Freddie's haul in the principal club awards was completed by receipt of the W Philcock Shield for Away Player of the Season.

The Home Player of the Year prize (the Ray Shingler Trophy) was awarded to winger Paul Shanley.

Manager Michael Ellison and assistant Matt Cross received club service awards for 100 games in charge – feats completed last Saturday in Linnets' penultimate game of the campaign at AFC Liverpool.

Veteran supporters, Ian Knowles and Bill Thompson presented the managerial duo with a special award, recognising their contributions to the club's maiden title success and achieving promotion to the EVO-STIK League Division One West for 2018-19.

Manager Ellison was then awarded the Noel Bell Trophy for outstanding service and achievement at the club.

There were landmark playing awards for Matt Atherton, who passed his 300th competitive Linnets outing during 2017-18; Mark Houghton and skipper Kyle Hamid (both 200 appearances) and Freddie Potter (100 games).

Atherton also took the Vice-Presidents' Award for outstanding achievement - recognising the stalwart player further extending his own first-team appearances record at the club.

The Left Side Ultras supporters group honoured Antony Hickey, Kyle Hamid and Mark Houghton, whose combined loyalty amid the mass squad departures of summer 2016 was ultimately rewarded with a title winners' medal.

Around 200 fans gathered at The Heath Business & Technical Park for the presentations, this year sponsored by Grangeside of Runcorn (Automotive Engineers).

Club chairman, Mark Buckley was Master of Ceremonies for a memorable evening. A video package, featuring the club's title-clinching victory over Squires Gate and the subsequent Bank Holiday presentation of the Premier Division winners' trophy was enjoyed by those present.

Thanks were extended to supporter Martin Holding for recording the climax to a season, which will long live in the memory of the all fans.

RUNCORN Linnets have been congratulated by consistuency MP, Mike Amesbury on their title success.

During a debate on ticket prices at sporting events, the MP for Weaver Vale – which includes East Runcorn (and The Millbank Linnets Stadium) – questioned Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Tracey Crouch on what she was doing to ensure fans can afford to attend spectator events.

Mr Amesbury (Lab) raised the Linnets' recent sporting success and cited them as an example of a club that kept their admission prices affordable to fans.

He said: "I am sure that the Minister will want to join me and my honourable friend the Member for Halton (Derek Twigg) in congratulating Runcorn Linnets on winning the Hallmark Security League Premier Division title this week.

"Although my constituents can watch the Linnets for a relatively reasonable price—a very low cost—people attending major events cannot, as prices have rocketed in recent years. Will the Minister outline what steps the Government are taking to ensure that major sporting events are accessible and affordable to all?"

Ms Crouch (Con) replied: "I of course join the hon. Gentleman in congratulating the Linnets on their success."

She added: "I appreciate fans' concerns about costs. I always keep these under review. We have worked hard with the likes of the Football Association and the Premier League to ensure that costs are kept down as much as possible. As he will know, the Premier League has done a deal to ensure that tickets for away fans are capped at £30. We do keep these things under control."

Speaking outside the chamber, Mr Amesbury said: "The Linnets are a terrific example of a sporting organisation at the very heart of the community that does its very best to keep things affordable and accessible to fans.

"I wanted to raise that example in the Commons and encourage the Minister to help ensure other sporting organisations do the same."

At a meeting of the Leagues Committee earlier today, the 2018-19 Club Allocations at Steps 1-4 of the National League System were confirmed.

Runcorn Linnets have been placed in the new Division One West of the EVO-STIK League.

The only change to the 20-team line-up which had been widely anticipated sees the inclusion of Brighouse Town with Chasetown, who had been tipped to be in our division, instead being placed in the Southern League Division One East.

The full line-up of the EVO-STIK League West is:

Atherton Collieries
Brighouse Town
Clitheroe
Colne
Colwyn Bay
Droylsden
Glossop North End
Kendal Town
Kisdgrove Athletic
Leek Town
Market Drayton Town
Mossley
Newcastle Town
Prescot Cables
Radcliffe
Ramsbottom United
Runcorn Linnets
Skelmersdale United
Trafford
Widnes

Runcorn lost to Runcorn Town in the The Hallmark Security League Premier Division at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 0-1. Runcorn Town went ahead in the 90th minute.

Match Report

Runcorn beat AFC Liverpool in the The Hallmark Security League Premier Division at The Marine Travel Arena with a score of 1-2. Stuart Wellstead put the Linnets ahead in the 12th minute with a firmly-placed header from a corner. Mitch Bryant increased the Linnets' lead in the 36th minute following a powerful header from close range after Stuey's shot came off the crossbar. AFC Liverpool closed the gap in the 71st minute.

Match Report