One of our Trust members and much-valued volunteers, Ange Murphy has been appointed events manager at Runcorn Linnets.

Ange has taken an active role in the club over the last couple of years.

She has run various raffles and other fundraisers, including the tombola at this year's junior tournament.

This season, Ange has also played the prominent role in our matchday hospitality, catering for visiting club officials and looking after guests in our sponsors area.

The club is delighted that Ange has agreed to take on the added responsibility of her new position and we know that she will make a great success of it.

Chairman Peter Cartledge said: "Ange takes on the role of events manager with immediate effect.

"Her main priority will be to arrange all requirements, staffing, catering, room decorations etc for all events and functions at the club.

"We have really ramped up our private  functions in the last year and they provide the club with a much-needed revenue stream to compliment our other activities.

"As we move into the New Year and other roles are formally agreed and assigned, further announcements will be made."

Runcorn Linnets have appointed Trust Board member Bren Connolly to the new position of general manager.

The role involves managing all non-playing staffing requirements, processes and sustainability.

The new general manager will also review all current working practices to identify any opportunities for improvement.

Club chairman Peter Cartledge said: "Bren will be responsible for ensuring that we are running the club as efficiently and cost effectively as we can.

"He has already completed an incredible amount of work behind the scenes, on various work streams and in critical areas such as sustainability.

"The voluntary role is a perfect fit for Bren and I am looking forward to continuing our work together."

A retired human resources manager, Bren was elected to the Trust Board in December of last year after initially becoming involved with the club as a volunteer.

Bren Connolly said: "It's a privilege that Pete has put his faith in me to deliver this role and you can be assured of my best efforts to build on the excellent work of so many good people before me.

"We have some wonderful volunteers, but the growth of the club and increase in attendances bring their own challenges and we can always use more volunteers.

"If there's anything you think you could help with, or if you're involved in a business that may consider joining Linnets growing band of partners, I'd be delighted to hear from you.

"I'm also keen to receive feedback from supporters on how the match day experience can be improved and reducing queue times will be one priority.

"Many of you have been supporting the club for much longer than me and the views of supporters are invaluable, so feel free to stop me around the ground or in the clubhouse for a chat."

Runcorn Linnets are extending our Christmas Gift Collection so that those supporters who had intended to donate at Saturday's postponed match against Newcastle Town can still contribute.

We will be accepting presents at APEC Taxis Stadium this Thursday evening (December 15th) before our Annual Geneeal Meeting, which starts at 7pm.

The club would welcome new gifts for ALL AGES to spread cheer in our community over the festive season.

The recipients will be:
• Halton Christmas Toy Appeal

• Halton Carers Centre Toy Appeal

• Our 2022-23 charity partner Halton Haven

• Children's ward, Warrington & Halton NHS Trust

Christmas is a time of joy for most of us but it can bring real challenges for others.

Some may be struggling financially, particularly in the current economic climate, feeling isolated or unwell.

Donations of gifts from our fans will show that everyone at Runcorn Linnets is thinking of them.

All presents should be new and unwrapped.

Josh Christian, volunteer manager of Linnets in the Community, said:

"Runcorn Linnets FC is a community benefit society and our supporters have always been very generous in their response to collections and appeals.

"Although times are particularly hard for many at the moment, we are always conscious of those who are least fortunate and want to help where we can.

"That is particularly the case at this time of year, the season of goodwill.

"We are appealing for donations of toys for children and young people aged 0-18 who might otherwise wake on Christmas morning to find that Santa has forgotten them.

"By providing the children with gifts we will be easing the anguish of their families, who have been really badly affected by the cost-of-living crisis."

Halton Christmas Toy Appeal is now in its ninth year and has 750 disadvantaged children on its distribution list,

Supporters of the well-established appeal include our stadium sponsors APEC Taxis.

Appeal founder, Nicky Woodward said:

"We don't only provide help at Christmas time.

"We help elderly and vulnerable people in Halton all year round by providing and delivering food and essential supplies.

"We get lots of help and support from our local community, both individuals and local businesses."

Halton Carers Centre has identified that a number of unpaid carers are really struggling with the cost of living and being able to afford presents for their children this Christmas.

The centre is appealing for community support so they can  help as many families as possible to make Christmas a bit more magical.

We will aiso be donating gifts to children in hospital and are also appealing for gifts of all ages to distribute to residents of Halton Haven, as our charity partner for 2022-23.

Also, if you know of anyone in need of help and support with Christmas, particularly the elderly, please please email [email protected] if we cannot help ourselves, we will pass on details to the appropriate organisation or charity.

Runcorn Linnets have announced the result of this year's Trust Board election.

All seven nominees for the nine vacancies were successful without the need for a vote.

Five directors, who had been seeking re-electon, have returned for a further term while two former Board Members are back for second spells.

Applications were submitted by the following:

Ste Bignall (nominated by Derek Greenwood and Stuart White).

Peter Cartledge (nominated by Jeff Jago and Josh Christian).

Josh Christian (nominated by Dave Jones and Martin Holding).

Jeff Jago (nominated by Paul Eastup and Peter Cartledge).

Alan Jones (nominated by Darren Moore and James Peers).

Tracy Measor (nominated by Peter Urquhart and Kathy Greenhalgh).

Sam Phillips (nominated by Josh Christian and Gavin Speed).

When there are more vacancies than nominations, the club rules and election policy stipulate that all valid candidates are automatically elected.

The seven nominees therefore join on the Trust Board after the December 15th AGM of Runcorn Linnets FC Limited, alongside the three serving elected members who have another year in post – Bren Connolly, Paul Riley and Jack Walsh.

To ensure parity of numbers across the two election rotations, Board members will agree which two of the newly-elected directors will serve for one year, insread of the usual two, and therefore stand again next year.

The five current directors re-elected are chairman Peter Cartledge, community manager Josh Christian, vice-chairman Jeff Jago, club president Alan Jones and media manager Sam Phillips.

Ste Bignall and ex-club secretary Tracy Measor are the former Board members returning.

The external co-options of Paul Eastup, James Sidwell and Nick Woods to the Trust Board will be reviewed, as is customary, at the Board meeting in January.

Kel Hoose has resigned as an externally co-opted director and club treasurer but stays in an advisory role.

The Board has thanked Kel for his hard work and assistance in preparing latest club accounts for the year ended June 30th 2022, alongside club volunteer Karen Chaney from Linnets' finance team.

In addition to his vice-chairman role, Jeff Jago has assumed the position of treasurer.

The Board is meanwhile extremely sorry to report that its longest-serving elected member, Hedley Edwards has retired.

Following an absence due to ill health, Hedley decided not to stand for re-election in 2022.

He was the last of the original Trust Board members from the formation of the club in 2006 to remain in post.

Trust secretary, Dave Bettley said: "Hedley has done such excellent work, both as a former vice-chairman and director, and his presence in the Boardroom and around the club has been sorely missed since he was forced to scale down his involvement."

The Board has recognised and rewarded Hedley's sterling service over 16 years with the offer of a vice-presidency, which he has accepted.

The Board looks forward to Hedley returning to APEC Taxis Stadium once his recovery is complete and sends him very best wishes in the meantime.

Runcorn Linnets have signed up to every can counts – a Europe-wide drinks can recycling scheme.

Empty soft drinks cans can be deposited in the green-coloured cardboard containers at the tea bar, licensed bar and other locations around the ground.

This is part of our Sustainability Review which was launched earlier this season to safeguard the future of our club and protect the planet.

Used cans have hitherto gone into our general waste but this way, we will be able to cut down on refuse, saving on collection costs, while aiding the environment too.

The review involves Linnets looking at all aspects of its off-the-field operations and working with specialist consultants.

The club is not only investigating the possibilities of saving money through recycling and cutting down on energy costs to tackle the cost-of-living crisis but also more ambitious projects such as converting the floodlights to LED.

every can counts is targeting used cans from drinks consumed "on the go" in non domestic settings, including sports events.

We are therefore urging Linnets fans to do their bit when visiting their second home!

Instead of disposing of cans in an ordinary bin please use the recycling containers provided.