Lee Chesterson has been co-opted by the Trust Board of Runcorn Linnets to fill one of two remaining vacancies created by the recent resignations of three long-serving members.

Lee will head up the fundraising group at the Linnets after a spell as a club volunteer.

He joins Tracy Ryder, who was co-opted at the back end of the season and will continue as assistant club secretary, working alongside new club secretary, Steve Dale.

Lee Chesterson said: "As a lifelong Runcorn fan I'm proud to be co-opted onto the Trust Board and can't wait to get more actively involved, especially with the exciting 'buzz' there is at the club presently.

'It's important to keep the feeling going through the close season and look forward to next season."

The co-options of Tracy and Lee cover the period up to the club AGM in December.

Runcorn Linnets FC are pleased to announce that Steve Dale has been appointed as our new club secretary, succeeding Lynn Johnston, who stood down at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Tracy Ryder takes the position of assistant club secretary, a role that she has fulfilled with success for the past two seasons.

Steve comes with a wealth of experience, and having moved to the area recently, he quickly earmarked Runcorn Linnets as his new "adoptive" club. He has served in a variety of administrative and organisational roles at this level of football, including secretary, treasurer, and events manager, as well as football-related positions including coaching and refereeing. His previous clubs include Leverstock Green FC and Edgware Town FC (both Spartan South Midlands League) and Steve has demonstrated a real passion for the game.

Steve Dale said: "I am very happy to be joining such a vibrant and well-supported local club. I hope to be able to bring my experience within football into Linnets and help to work towards a highly- successful future."

Linnets chairman, Mark Buckley said: "We were really impressed not only with Steve's experience at our level of football but also his enthusiasm to get involved in all aspects of helping the club. "His ambition and drive match that of everyone involved at Runcorn Linnets and we are all really looking forward to working with him."

Pre-season plans have started to take shape at Runcorn Linnets with the announcement of four friendlies.

There are likely to be one or two more fixtures added to the list.

With 14 of last season's squad having already committed to the club, fans are eagerly looking forward to the 2017-18 campaign.

It will now be preceded by home warm-up matches against our former landlords Witton Albion, newly promoted to the Evo-Stik League Premier Division, Marine (from the same division) and our one-time NWCL title rivals Colne.

The East Lancastrians, managed by ex-Linnets skipper, Steve Cunningham, are fresh from an excellent first season in the Evo-Stik League Division One North.

After pipping Runcorn Linnets to the NWCL Premier Division championship on the final day of 2015-16, they finished fifth in their debut campaign in the league above, being knocked out of the promotion play-offs in the semi-final.

Witton, who defeated Spalding United in their play-off final, and Marine are, likewise, no strangers to The Millbank having visited for similar warm-up games in previous campaigns.

We will again be making the short journey to Middlewich Town of the Hallmark Security Cheshire League Division One after enjoying the excellent facilities on and off the field as much as their warm welcome last summer.

The Linnets' pre-season friendly schedule to date is:

Saturday, July 15th, Witton Albion, H, ko 3pm

Tuesday, July 18th, Marine, H, ko 7.30pm

Saturday, July 22nd, Colne, H, ko 3pm

Tuesday, July 25th, Middlewich Town, A, ko 7.15pm

Two players contesting the right back position at Runcorn Linnets have again thrown their hats into the ring for the 2017-18 campaign.

Danny O'Brien and Michael Simpson are both integral parts of manager Michael Ellison's plans.

Not only are they are accomplished full backs but they are just as comfortable in midfield.

It was as a holding player in the centre of the park that Danny joined the club last summer from Hallmark Security League rivals, Cammell Laird 1907 before a long-term injury to Jay Roberts led to Danny filling the role on the right of defence.

Danny did an excellent job but has also reverted to his defensive midfield berth on occasions.

Boss Ellison said: 'Danny has had an excellent first season with us. He is very accomplished and confident in possession while also being strong and hard to knock off the ball.

'Most importantly, he is a very good defender, who just gets on with the job with the minimum of fuss. As he has shown from time to time, he has a powerful shot on him too.'

Michael, a graduate of the Academy at Bury, returned to Runcorn Linnets in December for a third spell and soon made the four appearances he needed for 100 in the Yellow and Green.

The utility man has, with his high-octane displays, also added to his goal tally - the highlight in 2016-17 being his late equaliser which set up a memorable win at Bootle.

Ellison said: 'Simmo is one of those players who bursts with energy and has again been top drawer since coming back to us from Prescot Cables.

'With Adam Wade moving to Singapore and (assistant manager) Matt (Cross) and I having also retired, Simmo and Mark Houghton are now the only members of our 2013 North West Challenge Cup winning team still playing for the club.

'I hope that they can help us to more silverware in the coming season.'

Runcorn Linnets fans will be bouyed by the news that Zac Aley and Stuart Wellstead are to remain with Runcorn Linnets for next season.

Both have made impressive contributions to the Linnets' late season surge, not only with the quality of their performances but also their versatility.

Front runner Stuart joined the club from 1874 Northwich in October but it was after Christmas that he really came into his own.

Be it as a central striker or playing out wide, he regularly chipped in with some important goals, both as a starter or off the bench.

Manager Michael Ellison said: 'I played alongside Stu earlier in my career when we were at Winsford together so I knew full well what a very good player I had brought in.

'It took him a little while to settle in and he wasn't helped by picking up an injury soon after joining us, but as the season has progressed, he has shown everybody just what he can do.

'He has really influenced games and found the net on a regular basis and will I am sure continue to have a big input as we move forward.'

Zac Aley, 25, came to the club in November with a good pedigree but looking to rebuild his career after a long-term injury and was handed a place in the squad after a brief trial.

Having initially come to prominence at Southport, progressing through their youth system to make the first team, he signed for then Premier League club, Blackburn Rovers.

While never making the first team at Ewood Park, Zac later played in League Two with Morecambe.

'Zac gives us very good options down the left where he has done well for us as a full back or pushing forward in support of the front men,' said boss Ellison.

'He is another player who has improved game by game as his match fitness and confidence have grown.

'He has a lot of ability, setting up goals with his crosses or scoring them himself.

'He was chosen by the fans as our Player of the Month in April and I have to say it was thoroughly deserved.'