With the results elsewhere this afternoon, Runcorn Linnets are assured of at least a second place finish in The Hallmark Security League Premier Division.

Now guaranteed promotion to the new EVO-STIK League (NPL) Division One West for 2018-19, we need three points from our remaining four games to be champions.

Following our recent appeal for further pitch perimeter fence panel sponsors, we are pleased to report that all meshed sections are now taken.

These will be fitted to the fencing in front of the seated stand during the close season.

Thanks again to all who have supported the scheme.

Green infill fence panels can still be sponsored (at £35 per section) in other parts of the ground.

These will now be placed in the pitchside fencing, behind existing advertising boards - themselves an ideal way for companies to promote their business and support the club.

There is still room for prospective new advertisers to buy a board with various sizes available to fit individual requirements and budget.

Please use Contact Us to request full details.

John and Megan Pickering, Runcorn Linnets Ladies team manager and striker, are this Saturday (April 28th) swapping the football field for a swimming pool - to go the extra mile for charity.

The father and daughter are to take the plunge for the 5k (3 mile) team Swimathon challenge in aid of Marie Curie and Cancer Research, through The Swimathon Foundation.

Their aim is to each complete approximately 200 lengths of the 25m pool at Brookvale Recreation Centre, just around the corner from The Millbank Linnets Stadium.

Megan said: "These charities are fantastic charities and deserve all the help and support they can get. Unfortunately cancer is likely to affect every one of us throughout our lives, so the more funding they can get the closer we can get to kicking cancer out once and for all!"

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving lives through research.

Marie Curie is a leading UK charity for people with any terminal illness, also giving invaluable support to their families.

Megan added: "Cancer has affected our family, friends and loved ones and we are lucky to say that some now have the all clear, some we very sadly loved and lost to it and some are still battling on like troopers.

"So now we want to do something about it with your help - any donations really will be appreciated."

Echoing Megan's comments, John said : "We did a 3k about 3 years ago between us and 2 years ago I did the 5k on my own, so this year we are both doing it and hope to raise as much money as we can for two excellent causes."

For further details of John and Megan's charity effort and how to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/lpw-pickering2018

Best of luck to them both!

Runcorn beat Ashton Athletic in the The Hallmark Security League Premier Division at Brocstedes Park with a score of 0-3. Freddie Potter scored for the Linnets in the 19th minute following a drilled shot from just inside the area. Louis Corrigan increased the Linnets' lead with a well-placed free-kick from just outside the area in the 36th minute. Freddie Potter extended our lead in the 55th minute following a firmly-placed header from a corner.

Match Report

The Mersey Gateway is set to be illuminated green and yellow this Saturday to mark the centenary of town team football in Halton.

In 1918, the Highfield and Camden Tanneries Recreation Club was formed at Canal Street, Runcorn, and from it emerged Runcorn Football Club.

Founder members of the Cheshire County League in 1919, the Linnets (as they became known) were its first champions and in 1939 played FA Cup holders Preston North End in front of a crowd of 10,111 at Canal Street.

In their heyday, the Linnets were a leading semi-professional outfit, who won the top flight league in non-league football in 1982 and competed at three Wembley finals.

In later years, the club spent time playing at the Halton Stadium but when faced with it being wound up, fans determined to keep alive a passion for the football club formed Runcorn Linnets on the 28th April 2006.

Since then, Widnes FC has been formed and Runcorn Town has flourished, seeing Halton now have three teams competing in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.

Council Leader Rob Polhill said: "Halton has a fabulous sporting tradition with both rugby league and football having played an important part in the lives of so many people in Halton over this last century. From quite humble beginnings as a tannery recreation club side, we now have three of the best non-league football sides in the region."

A century after football took hold in Halton, Runcorn Linnets are currently on the cusp of becoming champions of the Hallmark Security Premier Division, with the two other Halton teams in hot pursuit at the top of the league.

Runcorn Linnets chairman, Mark Buckley said: "Runcorn Football Club experienced mixed fortunes over the years and supporters of the old club are proud that the meeting we held exactly 12 years ago this Saturday, helped keep alive our passion for a famous old club and create a thriving successor which is owned and run by its fans.

"We have seen fierce competition this season with Runcorn Town and Widnes and it's a credit to Halton that we have our three teams all battling for promotion."

The Mersey Gateway will be illuminated green and yellow - the traditional colours of Runcorn AFC in their later years, now sported by Runcorn Linnets - on the evening of Saturday, 28th April.