Runcorn Linnets played Santa by providing cheer to those in need through the club's Christmas Gift Collection.

More than 200 presents are being distributed into the community via Father Christmas.

This is with help from two festive toy appeals, which Linnets are supporting - Halton Christmas Toy Appeal and Halton Carers Centre Toy Appeal - and in response to individual requests for support.

A selection of toiletries and cakes have been presented to Halton Haven.

Money donated was used to purchase books and chocolates for children, who are patients of Warrington & Halton Hospital NHS Trust.

Josh Christian, Linnets in the Community manager, said: "We wanted to bring a smile to the faces of children who are in hospital."

Josh was overwhelmed with the response to the collection.

He said: "Our fans have really done us proud.

"We can't thank enough all supporters who contributed, a special mention going to the 'Murdishaw Massive' for their very generous response to our appeal.

"They turned up at one of our matches with a whole load of toys - a gesture which stunned us all."

Meanwhile, Runcorn Linnets players also joined with the club in donating items to Runcorn Foodbank.

Fan-owned Runcorn Linnets have named returning Trust Board member Ste Bignall as Trust communications manager.

Ste rejoined the Board in this month's elections and made it his mission to improve dialogue with the membership.

Club chairman, Peter Cartledge said: "Ste is, like us all, a big advocate of the fan-owned model and in his new role he will be exploring how we can further strengthen the bond between the club and its co-owners.

"It is something Ste started to do the previous time he was a director.

"The Board has in the interim placed great emphasis on fostering a good relationship with the club's fans.

"We now have a Trust membership approaching 200, the highest total since the return to Runcorn in 2010 and this is encouraging in itself.

"But with our attendances having increased significantly in the last couple of years, there is still plenty of scope to build this up even more.

"It is time to ensure newer supporters are aware of how we are constituted and operate - all our club officials are volunteers - while reminding those, who have followed Runcorn Linnets for longer, of the reasons why our founding fans set up the club in this way.

"There are relatively few supporter-owned clubs in this country.

"Fans of many teams bigger than our own would love to be in our position where the interests of the club are in the hands of supporters.

"Ste will also liaise with Trust secretary, Dave Bettley and our membership with a view to connecting with members on a more regular basis and looking at how we can improve our 'offer' to them.

'I know Ste can't wait to get on with the job. Nobody could be more focused and we are sure that this will bring positive results."

Ste Bignall said: "I'm delighted to be back on the Trust Board and extremely grateful for the warm welcome back that the rest of the board have extended to me, and also for the congratulations from a number of our supporters and people I class as friends.

"My main reason for seeking re-election is that I felt as a Trust member myself, but not a Board member for the last two years, that the flow of information and involvement between the Trust Board and Trust membership had stated to weaken, which is understandable given the time restraints that everyone has to face.

"So I was keen to put myself forward to try and improve that and am very pleased and grateful for the support and enthusiasm that the rest of the Trust Board and in particular our chairman have shown for what I want to do - with and in support of our long-serving Trust secretary Dave Bettley.

"I've always believed that an involved and informed Trust membership will only benefit the club as a whole, and this is what we set out to have at Runcorn Linnets from day one.

"Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to discuss any ways that you feel we can improve the Trust member experience."

Runcorn Linnets will be playing our part as The Pitching In Northern Premier League again supports Shelter's #NoHomeKit campaign at this season's festive fixtures.

For our Boxing Day home game against City of Liverpool, we will be wearing our away kit of orange and black to highlight the problems of homelessness and poor living conditions in our community.

Despite Covid-related postponements, last year's campaign was a huge success, with hundreds of clubs in the non-league pyramid between them raising more than £500k for the cause.

As the cost of living crisis worsens, homelessness and unsafe housing conditions are affecting all of our communities.

Organisations like Shelter, who help anyone facing homelessness or poor housing while also fighting the systemic causes of the housing emergency, have never been more important. 

Angie Firth, NPL general manager, said: "With that in mind, the NPL wishes to make the second year of No Home Kit bigger and better.

"We encourage all our clubs to dedicate one home fixture across the Christmas period to the campaign.

"Most importantly, this means wearing No Home Kit for that fixture, and encouraging fans to get involved by swapping kits and donating."

Josh Christian, Trust Board member at Linnets and manager of Linnets in the Community, said: "The football community knows the importance of home. But this year, thousands of people will be spending Christmas in dingy hostels, on friends' sofas, or even sleeping in freezing cars.

"Every 90 minutes, 25 households are made homeless in England

"This is something we can't ignore."

Whether you're watching the Boxing Day game at the ground or listening to the commentary on Bucket Hat Radio on your sofa, you can join the fight to defend the right to a safe, secure and affordable home for everyone.

Donate to the #NoHomeKit campaign here

Tracy Measor has been appointed fundraising manager at Runcorn Linnets on her return to the Trust Board.

Tracy began her second spell as a club director after Thursday's AGM, via the annual Board elections.

Club chairman Peter Cartledge said: "The club needs to increase its income to help us achieve our ambitions of playing higher in the Pyramid and we can think of no better person than Tracy to spearhead this.

"She is already co-organising our 200 Club, having taken this on alongside Karen Chaney earlier this season and together they will be looking to increase the numbers enrolled in the monthly draw.

"Tracy also runs our matchday raffle, which in terms of prizemoney must be the best in our league, and she has an extremely good track record for fundraising.

"She has an infectious enthusiasm for organising events and raising funds and has the determination to make a success of everything she takes on.

"Becoming fundraising manager is a natural progression for Tracy and I have no doubt we will reap the rewards of her efforts."

The reappointments of Runcorn Linnets chairman Peter Cartledge and vice-chairman/treasurer Jeff Jago were unanimously agreed last night by the Trust Board.

Senior positions are reviewed at the first Board meeting after the club Annual General Meeting, this having taken place on Thursday, December 15th.

The Board also extended the external co-options of club secretary Paul Eastup, James Sidwell and Nick Woods for another  year while Dave Bettley continues as Trust secretary.

These reappointments were also made unanimously.