After a poignant ceremony ahead of Saturday's first-team home match, Runcorn Linnets completed their Remembrance Weekend commemorations this afternoon at Runcorn Cenotaph.

Junior players joined club chairman Peter Cartledge, community manager Josh Christian and one of the juniors coaches Nick Woods, also a co-opted member of the Trust Board at APEC Taxis Stadium, for the traditional Remembrance Sunday parade up Greenway Road from St Michael's and All Angels Church to the war memorial.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the men's first team, Ladies section, Under 21s men and Linnets Juniors at the town's Annual Service of Remembrance.

The club officials and young players were reunited with the Mayor and Mayoress of Halton, Cllr Mark Dennett and Mrs Andrea Dennett, who had been guests at Saturday's Linnets match where a crowd approaching 600 had paid tribute to The Fallen.

Josh Christian, who had organised the matchday event on behalf of the club, said: "I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who attended the game and took part in our remembrance parade, especially the Mayor and Mayoress, Cheshire Regiment Association and Runcorn Sea Cadet Corps, along with our our players and those from our visitors Kidsgrove Athletic.

"It was impeccably observed by everyone inside the ground.

"Thank you to all the fans from both clubs or their co-operation and support.

"I'd also like to say how proud we all felt of our juniors at The Cenotaph today, as they stood in Linnets kit in the cold for more than half an hour. They are a credit to our club."

Top photo: A two minute silence was observed ahead of kick off on Saturday.

Centre:Club officials and junior players with the Mayor and Mayoress of Halton and MPs Derek Twigg (Halton) and Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) at the Remembrance Sunday service.

Bottom: The wreath laying at Runcorn Cenotaph.

Runcorn Linnets will prelude Sunday's official civic commemorations in the borough by staging our own tribute to those who have given their lives in the two World Wars and other conflicts.

For our Saturday home game against Kidsgrove Athletic in The Pitching In Northern Premier League, we will welcome Mayor of Halton, Councillor Mark Dennett, along with his wife, Mrs Andrea Dennett, the Mayoress.

There will be a pre-match ceremony from 2.45pm featuring members of Cheshire Regiment Association, led by regular Linnets fan Tom Doyle, and Runcorn Sea Cadets with commanding officer Andy Doyle.

The two organisations will stage a small remembrance parade before kick-off with Runcorn Linnets Juniors forming a guard of honour.

Our players will wear black armbands and wreaths will be laid by both team captains. We will also substitute our traditional club-colour corner flags for white ones, featuring poppies.

The Sea Cadets will sell poppies in support of the annual Royal British Legion Appeal.

On Sunday afternoon, club community manager, Josh Christian will be joined by Linnets Juniors for the walk up Greenway Road from St Michael's and All Angels Church to the war memorial (at the junction with Moughland Lane), where representatives from the men's first team and U21s, Ladies team and our juniors will lay wreaths.

Josh said: "Due to the pandemic, we haven't been able to fully pay our respects in the last couple of years.

"I am delighted that we are able to do so in 2022 and that all corners of the club are coming together as one to mark Remembrance Day."

The Civic Procession will assemble at the church at 2.30pm, moving off at 2.45pm prompt to arrive at The Cenotaph for 3pm.

We offer a warm if slightly belated welcome to goakeeper Paul Cooper.

Paul joined Linnets yesterday on a one-month loan from Barnsley and made his debut in the 2-2 home draw against 1874 Northwich, saving a penalty.

With regular No.1 Danny Taberner unavailable, Dave Wild moved for the Manchester-born 19-year-old, who was familiar with the Linnets manager from their time together last season at Matlock Town.

The player had joined tbe Gladiators on his release from Stoke City, where he had been since Under 14s level.

Having featured in England youth camps, although also eligible to represent Netherlands through parentage, Paul got the chance to resurrect his EFL club career in September, after impressing for Pro Soccer Coaching in a friendly against Barnsley.

He landed his first professional contract after a successful week's trial at Oakwell.

Runcorn Linnets have signed up a promising teenage defender, who has already made his mark in international football.

Earlier this year, our now 18-year-old new recruit Louis Holden helped Wales Schools FA to a historic win in the Centenary Shield.

The central defender, who hails from Warrington, played every minute of every game as Wales carried off the trophy for the first time in 41 years.

The competition for U18 school and college students pitched the Welsh team against England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

A 2-0 victory over the Republic at Caerarfon Town FC sealed the long-awaited success for Wales in the round-robin series.

Louis qualified to represent the principality through his studies at Coleg Cambria in Deeside.

The former Lymm High School pupil attended the Welsh college as part of a two-year scholarship with Connah's Quay Nomads.

A spectacular 2021-22 campaign saw the Grappenhall-based youngster also fly the flag for the Wales schoolboys in a European tournament in Italy.

Louis meanwhile became the youngest to play for Wales Colleges Under 19s, who earned two draws against England Independent Schools.

The Linnets new boy started in  junior football in his home town with Lymm Piranhas and Grappenhall Sports.

At the age of 11, he secured a place in Port Vale Academy, staying at the the EFL club until just before his 16th birthday and 11 months later joining Connah's Quay.

He arrives at Runcorn Linnets after appearing 14 times this season for the Cymru Premier League club's Under 19s.

Still aged 17, Louis had made his first start for their first team in August 2022, against Linnets - playing at right back as Nomads visited APEC Taxis Stadium for a pre-season game, which finished goalless.

Runcorn Linnets have been drawn at away to County Durham team Spennymoor Town of the Vanarama National League North in the second round proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

The tie will be played at Brewery Field on Saturday, November 19th, meaning that our scheduled home league game against Trafford is postponed.