At the 2017 AGM of Runcorn Linnets FC Limited in the clubhouse, the make-up of the new Trust Board was officially announced.

After receiving eight valid nominations, the Board decided that it would operate with 12 members (the maximum allowed by the club's constitution), instead of 11.

All eight applicants were, therefore, automatically elected to serve alongside the four board members who each have another year to serve.

In making the decision, the board took into account an ever-increasing workload and the need for an even closer working relationship with the Linnets' Junior section now that we have a new clubhouse, co-run and maintained by the Senior and Junior sections.

The eight successful candidates, all elected for two years, are (in alphabetical order of surname) Karen Boyle, Mark Buckley, Ciaran Clotworthy, Paul Eastup, Stuart Graham, Tracy Measor, Adrian Taylor and Reg Woods. They join Mike Bignall, Hedley Edwards, John Pickering and Steve Pritchard on the Trust Board. Club treasurer Phil Wainwright is an externally co-opted member of the Board, on account of his skills in a specific role and as a representative of Runcorn Supporters Club.

Externally co-opted members need to be reappointed annually by the Board and this is traditionally on the agenda for the January Trust Board meeting.

A resolution tabled by Ciaran Clotworthy that the Club Secretary's role should be classed as ex-officio was passed unanimously.

This effectively means that the role of Club Secretary does not need to be filled by a member of the Trust Board (although it is at present).

The vote formally confirms the roles of Club Secretary and Trust Board member as being completely independent of each other while acknowledging that the same person can fill either or both roles at the same time. No constitutional change was required so the resolution was passed on a show of hands.

The funeral of Simon Charlesworth, co-founder of the Linnets Trust, will be held on Friday, December 15th.

The service at 10am is at St.Andrew's Church, Grangeway, Runcorn, and will be followed by committal at Walton Lea Crematorium at 11am.

Danny O'Brien has been named Linnets' Millbank Player of the Month for a second successive time.

In a November that saw strikers Paul Shanley and Stu Wellstead share the limelight with five goals apiece, this month's Runcorn Linnets Player Of The Month is awarded to one of those unsung heroes in the team, whose consistently high performance levels sometimes tend to drop under the media radar.

Since joining the squad at The Millbank at the start of last season, Danny O'Brien has made the transition from midfield to full back and in 2017-18, he has been putting in remarkably consistent and high-quality levels of performance.

Last month was no different, with Danny overcoming injury to help the club to a great defensive record, conceding just six goals in the seven games, and of course Danny has also helped out at the other end by contributing a couple of superb goals himself.

November started with a seven-goal demolition of West Didsbury and Chorlton, with Danny taking command of The Linnets' set-piece routines, pinpointing a corner for Stu Wellstead to head home, before being withdrawn due to a nasty gash on the leg, an injury that would keep him out of the next two cup ties.

He returned for the mammoth midweek journey to Sunderland RCA, and proved pivotal as ten-man Runcorn fought off a Wearside offensive with application, attitude and calmness.

Danny also levelled from the spot as The Linnets held their nerve and eventually won through into the Third Round of The Buildbase FA Vase with a late winner.

At home to Northwich Victoria, again Danny put in an impressive and solid defensive display while once again turning provider. O'Brien and Adam Jones combined well on the right flank and Jones cut into the penalty area to drill a low cross along the six-yard box for Houghton to slam home his second goal.

Runcorn finished the month with a superlative display and clean sheet against Bootle. Once again, Danny took charge of set-piece honours, and in between him helping to keep a lively attacking unit at bay, the large Bootle wall could do nothing to prevent Danny curling a superb free-kick over the top and plumb into the furthest corner of the net - leaving visiting 'keeper Ryan Jones rooted to the spot and sending the Linnets into the warmth of their new clubhouse with a 2-0 lead.

A remarkable month for Danny in which he overcome a bad injury to spearhead the performances as well as chipping in with valuable goals. His temperament has been exceptional, and his timing in the challenge has mirrored the high quality of his vision and passing.

It's very rare that a player takes our monthly award two months on the run, that's a testament to what a great player Danny O'Brien is.

Runcorn lost to Marske United in the Buildbase FA Vase - Third Round at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 2-3. Marske United scored in added time of the first half from a free kick. Marske United increased their lead in the 58th minute. Marske United extended their lead in the 60th minute from the penalty spot. Danny O'Brien pulled one back from a well-placed penalty in the 75th minute. Antony Hickey closed the gap in the 76th minute from a fantastic shot across the front of goal.

Match Report

by Dave Bettley, Trust secretary

A minutes applause was held before the home game against Bootle FC in memory of Simon Charlesworth, but also in appreciation of his contribution to Runcorn Linnets.

Simon, who has died suddenly, aged 51, was an instigator of the Linnets Independent Supporters Trust (LIST) which was formed with a view to saving Runcorn AFC and securing greater fan representation in the running of the former club.

Although these attempts ultimately failed, the Trust was in 2006 successfully remodelled to facilitate the formation of the new supporter-owned club we have, and all love, today. This is Simon's legacy.

No-one was more delighted than Simon to see all his hard work come to fruition when, in August of that year, the team took the field for our first competitive fixture at Ashton Town; nor when we 'returned' to play in the town four years later.

A lifelong Linnets fan, Simon's initial involvement had been with the old club as a match steward at Canal Street. He was fastidious in this and indeed all the club roles and positions he had held since.

So fastidious, in fact, that as part of his stewarding duties he would insist on standing in the same place by the main stand - right underneath the gutter, which soon overflowed in heavy rain. Simon would invariably end up getting soaked!

He has served Runcorn Linnets as secretary and assistant secretary of the Trust; as first point of match day contact for our fans as a turnstile operator and as a Travel Club organiser.

Most recently, he had volunteered to sell tickets in our game day raffle. He was also a regular match sponsor.

Simon had endured a long and sustained period of serious health problems but this did not deter him from supporting and following his beloved team when ever possible.

Six weeks ago, he made the long trip to Newcastle for our first round FA Vase tie at Team Northumbria, joining the Left Side Ultras in their minibus. True to form, he approached me during the game to say he wanted to put forward some proposals regarding the future running of the Trust.

Realising, from personal experience, the workload this would involve he said that he wouldn't saddle me with it for our forthcoming AGM.

Unfortunately, I don't know exactly what Simon was venturing to suggest.

His last appearance at The Millbank came for the last round of the Vase against Sunderland RCA earlier this month. His death came as a shock to us all.

Simon had a wicked grin and a self-styled sense of humour.

He was also very political in every sense.

He stood for election to Halton Borough Council and had his run-ins with the authorities and even, within our own organisation, the Trust Board. But he had the club and community very much at heart.

It will be very strange not to encounter Simon in the Shopping City, on the streets walking his dog or more regularly during games when he would politely ask, in hushed tones, if he could 'have a word' or 'ask a question'.

We send our sincere condolences to his wife Julie and the family in the hope that the many warm tributes that have been paid to Simon on social media will bring some comfort.

There have been messages from league officials, fellow clubs, former Linnets managers and current players as well as from the club and most importantly Runcorn supporters, who considered Simon as 'One of our own'.