On behalf of the board of Runcorn Linnets, I would like to publically put on record our sincere thanks and appreciation for the dedication shown by everyone connected to the club for last night's long journey to the North East.

A journey of 300 miles that started from Runcorn at 3.30pm and ended back in the town at 2.30am needs a huge level of commitment and the players and management team showed a magnificent attitude throughout and great pride in representing the club at the home of the current Northern League champions.

The fans who made the long journey were truly excellent and I can't thank my colleagues on the board enough for all their work behind the scenes in making sure everything ran as smoothly as possible.

We were made to feel most welcome at Marske and we thank them for that and wish them well in the competition from here on.

This is Runcorn Linnets 10th anniversary year and for me personally just to say we were there and competed so well in the circumstances is a matter of great pride.

The mutual support for each other behind the scenes with our friends from 1874 Northwich has only served to strengthen the bond of friendship and we had many other messages of support for which we are grateful.

We hope to publish a "player's eye view" of the day in a forthcoming programme so look out for that. But once again thank you.

Derek

Derek Greenwood (Chairman)

Runcorn lost to Marske United in the FA Vase - Second Round Proper at GER Stadium with a score of 6-2. Kurt Sherlock scored for the Linnets in the 19th minute with a fantastic goal from just outside the area that went straight over the 'keeper. Marske United equalised in the 34th minute. Marske United went ahead in added time of the first half. Marske United increased their lead in the 47th minute. Marske United extended their lead in the 56th minute. Jason Carey pulled one back following a powerful strike from inside the area that was unstoppable in the 65th minute. Marske United extended their lead in the 66th minute. Marske United scored again in the 82nd minute.

Match Report

The draw for the Third Round of the FA Vase has taken place, and should we be successful against Marske Utd, then we will be entertaining either Guisborough Town or Team Northumbria FC at the Millbank Linnets Stadium.

As you all know, the FA Vase Committee have insisted that we play the game at Marske on Tuesday 24 November.

As a club we were disappointed in the decision and would like to apologise to all those fans who wanted to make the journey to a new ground but will now be unable to do so.

Our appeal was based on a number of issues with regard to player health and safety, constraints of work, travelling distance and time on busy motorways, cost implications of postponed games, shortage of time to arrange coach travel and of course the inability of many of our fans to now watch the game.

The NWCFL was prepared to allow us to cancel our league game on the Saturday to allow the game to take place at a weekend and we were grateful for that support.

The relevant section of the rules of the competition is as follows:

"When a first match has been postponed, or is abandoned before the completion of 90 minutes and neither Club being at fault, it shall be played on the same ground: in the Qualifying Competition and First, Second and Third Rounds Proper ¡¡ìC on or before the following Thursday. The FA may, in exceptional circumstances, approve the playing of postponed or abandoned matches on the following Saturday".

We hoped we had made out a case for exceptional circumstances but the FA did not agree. We will still look forward very much to our journey to Marske and to making new friends but we express great frustration that the decision has denied many of our fans the opportunity to attend and put unnecessary pressure on players.

It will perhaps be interesting for fans to note the mileages that away clubs whose games were postponed on Saturday now have to travel in midweek (all mileages are for the round trip)

Tuesday

• Atherton Colls v Chadderton : 40 miles
• Consett v South Shields : 48 miles
• Tadcaster v Worksop : 97 miles
• Broxbourne v Greenhouse Sports : 17 miles
• Norwich U v Hullbridge Sports : 193 miles
• Marske Utd v Runcorn Linnets : 293 miles

Wednesday

• North Shields v Ashington : 34 miles
• Guisborough v Team Northumbria : 105 miles
• Morpeth v 1874 Northwich : 386 miles

We have had a phenomenal response to our scheme to fill in the Millbank Linnets Stadium's pitch perimeter with sponsored fence panels.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far – your generosity is very much appreciated and has gone a long way to completing the ground improvement work that would need to be carried out under grading regulations within a year should we gain promotion to the Evo-Stik League.

We have already 71 sections of the pitchside fencing filled in and sponsored, these being in the four corners, the full length of the touchline on the dugout side and the at the "bottom end" where we have some as yet untaken sections already fitted with panels ready for sponsorship.

We are grateful for the pledges made to this part of the scheme through sponsorship, as follows:

In memory of Frank & Hilary Banner; Shaun Hilton; Barbara & Adrian Taylor; Stuart White; Arnold Rose & in memory of John Rose; Bill Raftery; Derek & Jenny Greenwood; Neil Greenwood; Joan & David Bettley; Reg Woods (x2); Thomas Jones; Anthony Jones; Peter Wilde; Hedley Edwards; Arthur & Sheila Thompson; Phil Wainwright; Swedish Linnets; Malcolm Joynson; Anne Joynson; Canal Street Dugout (x2); Linnets Ladies; Nathan & Lucas Goodier; Brian Fish; Robert Fish; Debbie Fish; The Left Side Ultras; Linnets Supporters FC; Rob & Lynn Johnston; Alan Johnston; Andrew Johnston; The Ramsden Family; Chris White; Tony Norton; Runcorn Supporters Club; David Bottomley; Tracy, Bucko & Lucy; Paul Eastup; Adam Grave; Derek Grave; Tom Doyle & Jason Pilkington; Kim & Becky (S&B Pets, Widnes Market); Alan & Ann Spendlove; In memory of Walter Brown; Local band Cloudburst; Basingstoke Linnets; In memory of Peter Kav; Runcorn Linnets Tea Bar; The Hayes family; Derek Pullinger; Chris Pullinger; Mark (Spike) and Joyce Carter; The Keenan family; In memory of Scott Johnson; Bryn Jones; John Roach; Peter Hoxworth; John Pickering; Bret and Sid; Neil Thornton & Martyn Thornton; Brian Wood; Ste Bignall; Mike & Sam Bignall; In memory of Dave Bignall; Boé & Drew Kilshaw; The Yates family; Howard Cockcroft; In memory of Allen Chesterson; Bob Pinnington & Len Fagan; Elle & Caleb Goodwin.

In addition, ten sections have so far been reserved at the clubhouse end, where the panels will be installed in due course. Thank you to these sponsors, who are as follows:

"President's Men", Alan & Heather Jones (Mr. Runcorn FC 1995-20_ _); Ste, Mathew and Aimee Lomax; Andrew Jones & Sally, Michelle, Jade, Aaron, Stevie; Kev, Laura & Georgia Allen; Allan & Becky Jones, Marcia, Aaron; Donna Jones, Dave, Jess, Lewis; Wesley & Heather Jones; The Conny Club; Cherrykees Darts Team.

This means that to date we have 81 sections sponsored in all, which is a terrific effort.

Any other supporters wishing to sponsor a section of panelling at £35 (including a commemorative plaque) are asked to speak to Trust secretary Dave Bettley or any club official on match days.

Alternatively, please get in touch through Contact Us on our website at www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk

Payment can be made by cash or with a cheque made payable to Runcorn Linnets FC.