Runcorn Linnets Under 21s player Macauley Clifton has earned a first-team call-up on account of his impressive performances in the club's North West U21s Development League side.

The teenager, who plays right wing in the U21s, has previously spent time in in Academies at Bolton Wanderers and Morecambe as well as The Robbie Fowler Academy.

At senior level, he has played for Barnton in North West Counties League Division One.

Macca, now 19, was a Linnets junior for seven years in two spells.

The third player to graduate from our U21s this season and the fourth in the last 18 months, he goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's Pitching In Northern Premier League visit to Glossop North End.

Runcorn Linnets manager Dave Wild said:

"Promoting Macca into our first team was an easy decision for me, he's trained on numerous occasions with the first team and never looked out of place - and having watched his development within the u21 side recently, we felt it was the right time to begin his integration into the senior match day squads.

"He trained really well last night and I'd fully expect him to make his debut tomorrow at GNE.

"Hopefully this is further evidence that we want to develop and utilise local footballers within the club.

"With the addition of Macca alongside Eden Gumbs, Josh Roberts and Adam Moseley we will have 25% of our match day squad tomorrow made up of local Runcornians and that's something we are all immensely proud of."

A mural has gone on display in Runcorn Shopping City to celebrate the success of the town's biggest football club.

The photographic montage of managers and players pays tribute to the achievements of Runcorn Linnets and predecessor club Runcorn AFC over more than a century.

The unveiling of the mural is part of a new collaboration between the club and shopping centre - one which demonstrates the  importance of both in the community.

The mural has been designed by Ian Savage of Tailored Designs and created by Sam Bayliss of Kestrel Image Makers. Ian's son Ben plays for Runcorn Linnets Whites Under 10s while Sam is a club volunteer, who also produces signage for the club through her business.

The link-up with Runcorn Shopping City has seen the City taking an advertising board at Linnets' ground in Murdishaw.

The club will display and sell merchandise in the shopping centre while also promoting its fixtures.

Linnets' new first-team home shirt is to go on show in the City's Community Square with orders available via the club's website.

Dave Pearman, manager of Runcorn Shopping Centre, said:  "We are delighted to be the home of this fantastic mural relating to Runcorn Linnets FC.

"Both the Linnets and Runcorn Shopping City offer rich heritage and memories for the local community and visitors from further afield.

"We are committed to working in partnership with the Linnets so the club can continue to grow and promote grassroots football.

"Under the managerial leadership of Dave Wild we cheer the first team on in Northern Premier League West.

"We are also passionate about encouraging the ladies and junior teams and supporters in making new memories that one day will be on future montages, much similar to this".

Alan Jones, club president and Trust Board member at Runcorn Linnets, said: "I am highly delighted that Runcorn Shopping City have allowed us to promote our activities while also highlighting the rich heritage of the Linnets - stretching back more than 100 years.

"The original club Runcorn AFC was formed in 1918 and on its very sad demise in 2006, supporters were determined that their Linnets nickname would live on by creating the new club, playing initially in the second tier of the North West Counties League, as tenants of Witton Albion FC in Northwich.

"With the support of Halton Borough Council and the Football Foundation, along with our own fundraising, we were able to return to Runcorn in 2010 to what is today known as APEC Taxis Stadium.

"We have enjoyed two first-team promotions since formation, seen the stadium develop with a new  clubhouse and hybrid pitch while last season attracting our record crowd of 1,600 for a home promotion play-off final which we narrowly lost.

"With our Ladies team, Under 21s men plus our many junior and youth teams, for boys and girls, we have hundreds of players representing us every week."

The club is particularly grateful to Mr Pearman for agreeing to erect the mural and has also thanked Ian Savage and Sam Bayliss for their assistance with the project.

Mr Jones added: "It will bring back a lot of memories. In the 1980s and '90s, Runcorn AFC were the highest-ranked non-league team in the land and appeared in three Wembley finals.

"We are very pleased that visitors to Runcorn Shopping City will be able to glance back at our proud history while getting a taste of our continuing efforts to ensure that the Linnets have a bright future as well as a successful past."

Kestrel Image Makers can be contacted on 07841 688777, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].

For Tailored Designs, ring 07809 880632 or e-mail [email protected]

Caption:

Dave Pearman (manager of Runcorn Shopping City), Sam Bayliss (Kestrel Image Makers), Ian Savage (Tailored Designs) and Alan Jones (president of Runcorn Linnets FC) in front of the mural.

We are delighted to announce the return of last season's Pitching In Northern Premier League top scorer, Ryan Brooke.

The re-signing of the APEC Taxis Stadium favourite, following his brief spell at Warrington Rylands, was probably the worst-kept secret - after his off-the-field appearance at Saturday's FA Trophy victory over Ossett United.

News of his imminent move spread quickly around the ground, prompting our fans to sing "We've got our Brooky back".

Now all the formalities of the transfer have been completed, we are more than happy to confirm that Ryan is officially a Runcorn player again and back where we all feel he belongs.

He is raring to show us what we have been missing since his summer departure.

We know that Ryan has been missing it too and can't wait to wear the Yellow and Green again.

He rejoins us ahead of another big week for Linnets as we take to the road for tomorrow's game at Newcastle Town and again on Saturday, when we head for Workington.

It won't be until the visit of Prescot Cables on Tuesday, October 25th that we will be able to see Ryan play in front of our home supporters again but we are sure everyone will be looking forward to this happening.

Unlike recent signing James Hooper, Ryan is available for selection in the Isuzu FA Trophy, having not played in the competition for Rylands.

He resumes his Linnets career on 62 appearances and 38 goals, including 34 in all competitions last season when a league haul of 25 earned him the NPL West Golden Boot.

We have been drawn at home to Belper Town of the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division in the first round proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

The tie will be played on Saturday, October 29th which means the postponement of the NPL West home visit of Macclesfield.

Those travelling by road to APEC Taxis Stadium this weekend are informed of continuing major works near the ground.

These relate to the replacement of the bridge which carries the A533 Chester Road over the M56.

The weekend works will necessitate the closure of the westbound carriageway of the M56 between Junctions 11-12.

National Highways have issued the following statement:

"Work to replace safety barriers on the M56 westbound between junction 11 (Preston Brook) and 12 (Clifton Roundabout/Rocksavage Interchange) will take place during a full closure this weekend.

"The closure, which has been postponed from September, will be in place between 9pm Friday 7 October and 6am Monday 10 October.

"Delays are expected, please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause."