Michael Ellison has certainly been busy since Saturday's stunning end to the Linnets' season and there was clearly no such thing as a Bank Holiday break for our manager as he continued to recruit for next season!

That Mark Houghton and Antony Hickey are now tied up for 2017-18 will come as no surprise to followers of Runcorn Linnets.

As two of the players who stayed loyal during and after the mass exodus last summer, they are even bigger crowd favourites than they were before. And the pair have always been very popular!

Since being appointed as vice captain at the start of 2016-17 and reverting from his utiluty role to his most natural position as an out-and-out striker, Mark Houghton has been hugely impressive.

He has only enhanced his reputation as an excellent club man and on-field ambassador, who leads by example.

Not only does he just keep on running - and running - but he has continued scoring goals; none more impressive than his second-half winner at eventual champions, Atherton Collieries in March.

Boss Ellison said: 'Houghto is a pleasure to manage and he has clearly enjoyed reverting to his original role as a forward.

'He never seems to tire but the return of Freddie Potter in mid season took some of the weight off his shoulders and they have formed a very effective attacking spearhead.'

Fellow long-serving Antony Hickey is another whose work rate never ceases to amaze.

He too has played in a variety of roles and his conversion from a central striker to Runcorn's first-choice right side attacker means he creates numerous goals as well as scoring them.

Hickey was the hat-trick star of Linnets' 8-0 victory over AFC Darwen on Saturday.

Ellison added: 'Hickey is a very important player for Runcorn Linnets. It was a big lift when he stayed with us last summer and it is the same again.

'To have two more key men, like Houghto and Hickey, signed up for next season can only be good as our plans continue to take shape.'

Player recruitment news is coming thick and fast at Runcorn Linnets.

No sooner had the story broken about the first two signings for next season, than a couple more of the squad were putting their names on the dotted line.

Aaron Morris and Freddie Potter are the players in question and fans will be just as excited to see them stay as they were earlier today when Kyle Hamid and Paul Shanley committed their futures to The Millbank Linnets Stadium.

Aaron has been an ever present this season since joining from St Helens Town - quite an achievement for a central defender.

He has displayed a calm assurance under pressure and always seems to have time in possession.

His progress has been rapid, impressive partnerships being formed with Chris Lawton and Tom Hardwick. Their experience has certainly rubbed off on the youngster.

'Aaron has been outstanding all season, ' said manager Michael Ellison. 'If he isn't the best defender in our league already, then he is certainly up there.

'I couldn't be happier that he has committed to us and look forward to seeing him continue to grow in stature in Linnets colours.'

Freddie Potter returned to the Linnets in January as a man with a mission following a short, ill-fated stint at AFC Liverpool.

He has come back fitter, stronger abd above all eager to prove himself all over again. This he has certainly done - the striker being named Premier Division player of the month for March in The Hallmark Security League.

Freddie's performance in last month's win at eventual runners-up Bootle was acclaimed by his manager as the most complete individual display by any Runcorn player this season.

'He bullied their defence - so much so that even when we went down to 10, they went to a back four. I learned a lot about my players that day,' added Ellison.

No doubt satisfied with his work so far in a 'pre-season' which is little more than 24 hours old, the manager expects to have more deals to announce very shortly.

Just a day after the end of one Hallmark Security League Premier Division season, Runcorn Linnets have started to put plans in place for the next.

Skipper Kyle Hamid and another of the club's most influential first-team players, Paul Shanley have already further committed themselves to the Linnets cause by agreeing terms for the 2017-18 campaign.

Manager Michael Ellison expects this to be the first in a series of announcements relating to the retention of a squad, which has made such excellent progress after being rebuilt by Ellison and assistant boss Matt Cross.

Manager Ellison, who steered the team to a fiurth-place fjnish despite inheriting just a handful of established players for his first season in charge, is determined that there will be no repeat of what he describes as the 'fiasco' of last pre-season.

'Getting such an early agreement from Mucker (Kyle Hamid) and Shanners, both key players for us, is a real indication of our intent to get everything sorted for next season as quickly as possible,' said Ellison.

'This is a major boost for us but just the start and we will be updating fans with more news in the coming days as and when it happens.

'I have already spoken to most of the squad about staying and most of them have indicated they will be staying, which is great. But a lot can happen from now until the 1st July.

'Inevitably, we will lose some but we will definitely be bringing in some new faces'.

Hamid is rated one of the top central midfield players in the league and his two goals in an 8-0 last day defeat of AFC Darwen has made him the Linnets all-time record scorer with 66.

Left winger Shanley, meanwhile, also signed off his first season at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a goal after setting a consistently high level of performance in terms of quality and energy.

Runcorn beat AFC Darwen in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 8-0. Antony Hickey scored for the Linnets with a well-struck shot from inside the 6 yard box in the 5th minute. Antony Hickey increased the Linnets' lead following a coolly taken volley from inside the 6 yard box in the 8th minute. Kyle Hamid extended our lead with a cracking shot from just inside the area following a fantastic run in the 32nd minute. Paul Shanley put us four goals clear following a well-placed goal from just inside the area in the 37th minute. Kyle Hamid added another to our tally following an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area with great aplomb in the 43rd minute. Stuart Wellstead continued the domination with a well-placed header from inside the 6 yard box in the 79th minute. Antony Hickey further extended our lead with a powerful strike from close range in the 82nd minute. Adam Wade put us eight goals ahead following a brilliant header from inside the 6 yard box in the 89th minute.

Match Report

Runcorn Linnets host AFC Darwen this Saturday in our final Hallmark Security League fixture of the season.

With a top four finish in the Premier Division secured, the Linnets will be looking to go out on a high, and the club is asking fans to 'Pay What You Want' at the turnstile to show their appreciation for the efforts of Michael Ellison, Matt Cross and the whole squad this season.

Club chairman, Mark Buckley explained: "It would be great to see how everyone has valued the efforts of Ello and Crossy and the lads this term.

'I really hope we can get a big crowd at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, not just to thank the team for their efforts, but also to show everyone that we are united in our bid to go one better next season. Let's fill the stadium with colour and noise and have a great day.

"Season tickets will be valid for the game as usual, but the normal £6/£4 entrance fee will be waived - many thanks to the League for granting us permission - and supporters will be asked to contribute whatever they feel appropriate after the season's efforts."

There promises to be a party atmosphere at the stadium, with the half-time presentation of Akidemy certificates to the club's junior players, and as ever the Linnets' popular tea bar and clubhouse licensed bar will be open for business.