Everyone at Runcorn Linnets is deeply upset to hear John Carroll, a hugely popular and successful player and player-manager of our predecessor club, Runcorn AFC has passed away. He died peacefully in his sleep on January 5th, aged 57.

John served the club with distinction both as a player and player-manager. He joined from Weymouth for season 1987-88 season.

He won two Cheshire Senior Cups as a Linnets player and was a mainstay of the side which defeated full-timers Wrexham in an FA Cup first round replay at The Racecourse Ground on November 22nd 1988 - one of the most memorable nights in the later years of the former club.

On becoming Linnets manager in 1991, John led the club to the Bob Lord Trophy final - the Conference's League Cup - at the end of his first season in charge. They suffered a 2-1 aggregate defeat but won a lot of plaudits for their performances against big-spending Wycombe Wanderers.

His biggest achievement was steering the club to successive Wembley appearances in 1993 and 1994. Again, the Linnets lost 4-1 to the newly-crowned Conference champions Wycombe in their non-league swansong and then 2-1 to Woking, who likewise had a much higher playing budget compared to Runcorn.

John's 188 league appearances for Runcorn mean that only five players played more games for the club than he did during their 15 seasons in the Alliance Premier League/Gola League/Conference.

John Carroll was an extremely genuine and likeable person who always gave total commitment to the Linnets both as a highly-dedicated player and manager. Our thoughts are with his wife Julie, the rest of his family and his friends at this deeply distressing time.

A full tribute to John will appear on the website in the near future.

Runcorn Linnets have completed a clean sweep of Premier Division awards for December in the North West Counties Football League.

Following on from being handed the Club of the Month accolade, after winning all four games played, the Linnets have also now secured the two individual player honours.

Striker Antony Hickey has been named NWCL Player of the Month not only for his five goals – including a hat-trick against Alsager Town – but also his generally impressive play.

Goalkeeper of the Month goes to Dean Porter, who conceded just the once in 360 minutes of football.

The successful player nominations were as follows:

Goalkeeper of Month - Dean Porter (Played 4/4)
Dean started the month well with a clean sheet at Maine Road in extremely difficult windy condition. A fantastic double save first from a free kick and then from an attempted clearance by his own defender was the highlight of an assured performance.

His great form continued in a stunning 4-0 home win versus Colne. An awareness when coming off his line broke up a number of attacks in the first half and assured handling in the most atrocious weather conditions ensured that Dean kept his goal in tact against the league's top goal scorers.

Yet again, the weather turned nasty when the Linnets entertained Alsager Town at the Millbank Linnets Stadium but again Dean kept his goal intact. An excellent block in the early stages was just the start of another very assured performance in conditions that no goalkeeper enjoys.

The month ended on Boxing Day with the Runcorn derby and again the wind came back to make conditions difficult. Dean was finally beaten but only by a goal that looped up in the conditions after a tackle and into the net. Apart from that his dominance of the box was complete and a month that brought 13 goals scored with just one conceded was true testament to Dean's excellent form during Decembe

Player of the Month - Antony Hickey (Played 4/4)
In a month that saw The Linnets take maximum points from their four games in the most trying of conditions, there were obviously many stand out performances but after taking time to re-settle at the Millbank Linnets Stadium and reach full fitness, December saw Antony Hickey return to the kind of form The Linnets fans had hoped for.

Hickey's developing understanding with Freddie Potter has made the Linnets strike force a real threat. Both players have phenomenal work rates and that combined with their goal scoring and unselfish running were on show in abundance during the month.

The elements threw everything at the team starting with the wind at Maine Road and then again in the Boxing Day derby game and in between heavy rain at the Millbank Linnets Stadium. Hickey had a major part to play in all four victories. At Maine Road he passed into Hamid's path for the opener early in the game and then put in a superb far post cross in the second half for Potter's clinching goal. In appalling driving rain against a Colne side that had only tasted defeat once this season, Hickey lead the way in a convincing 4-0 victory by scoring the opening two goals in typical poacher's fashion.

In the next tough encounter versus Alsager, Hickey went one better by scoring a hat trick and also playing in Hamid, who in turn played in Sherlock for the other. His tireless energy was again a feature of his performance on Boxing Day despite losing his strike partner to injury in the first half. It was Hickey who played in Sherlock for the excellent and decisive second goal within a couple of minutes of The Linnets being pegged back.

Action at Hallmark Stand end

Hallmark Security, having backed the Linnets since 2011, is pleased to announce a second renewal of the original deal - this time until the end of the 2016-17 season.

The latest agreement includes the company's sponsorship of the Hallmark Stand behind the clubhouse end goal at The Millbank Linnets Stadium in Murdishaw.

This is a popular match day haunt for many Linnets followers, including the Left Side Ultras with their unique brand of vocal support for Joey Dunn's team.

Linnets chairman Derek Greenwood said: "Running a community football club is very rewarding, particularly when it is fans-owned like Runcorn Linnets, but it can also be challenging.

"We are very fortunate to have a number of long-standing sponsorships, which all help us plan and develop with confidence in these tough economic times and we are very grateful to Hallmark Security.

"Hallmark's long-standing involvement with the Linnets is recognition and a show of confidence in our efforts to continue to build a bright future for our club."

With headquarters in Widnes, Hallmark serves a wide range of customers from small businesses to national corporate clients – its portfolio including notable brands such as Scottish Power and Welcome Break Motorway Services.

The company is acknowledged for consistently providing and maintaining the highest standards of security provision throughout the commercial sector. All staff are SIA licensed and undergo comprehensive vetting to British Standard and training.

Ian Ross, managing director of Hallmark Security, said: "We are delighted to continue our association with the Linnets, one of Halton's premier sports clubs, and look forward to seeing them continuing to develop their men's, ladies and junior teams at the heart of the Runcorn community."

Runcorn beat Winsford United in the North West Counties Premier League at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 5-1. Kurt Sherlock put the Linnets ahead following a shot in the 11th minute. Antony Hickey increased the Linnets' lead in the 15th minute with a well-taken shot across the front of goal. Deano saved a penalty in the 38th minute. Winsford #6 sent off, and penalty awarded. Michael White extended our lead with a cracking penalty in added time of the first half. Kyle Hamid put us four goals clear following a great goal from inside the 6 yard box after the 'keeper saved a previous effort in the 71st minute. Winsford United scored in the 85th minute despite it looking like a foul on Deano. Antony Hickey put us four goals clear by walking it in after beating the keeper in added time of the second half.

Match Report   Pictures

Runcorn Linnets have scooped the North West Counties League's Premier Division club of the month award.

The accolade, announced this morning, follows a clean sweep of victories in December.

The four-game run culminated in a 3-1 win at Runcorn Town on Boxing Day after victories at Maine Road and at home to fellow title challengers Colne and then Alsager Town.

The Linnets scored 13 goals in the process while conceding just once.

Congratulations to Joey Dunn, his back room staff and all the players.