Ross McDowell has confirmed that is leaving the Linnets to return to Bootle. The club would like to thank Ross for his efforts, and wish him luck for the future.

Runcorn drew with Wythenshawe Amateurs in the Pre-season warm up at Newall Green High School with a score of 1-1. Wythenshawe Amateurs scored in the 44th minute from the penalty spot. Gavin Salmon equalised from inside the 6 yard box in the 67th minute.

Draws for the opening rounds of the FA Cup have been made with the prospect of three successive away trips.

In the extra preliminary round (Saturday August 16), we will visit Rochdale Town and the winners will go to Droylsden in the preliminary round on Saturday, August 30.

The competition will resume on Saturday, September 13 with the 1st qualifying round. Should we progress to that stage, our hosts will be Alsager Town or Winterton or Ossett Albion.

In the FA Youth Cup, the preliminary round will see Runcorn Linnets Youth travel to Curzon Ashton Yth (w/c September 8) with the prize being a 1st qualifying round home tie against Clitheroe (w/c September 22).

The first team are exempt from FA Vase duty until the first round proper on Saturday, November 1.

Runcorn Linnets Youth team have been admitted to the North West Youth Alliance for season 2014-15. This is another important step forward for the club and the culmination of much hard work ahead of the team's election this evening at the NWYA's annual general meeting. Congratulations go to manager Andy Hill, his assistants Ste Ward and Keith Cliffe and all the players. We are sure all involved with the club will wish the highly-promising young team well in this exciting new venture.

RUNCORN Linnets are to begin the 2014-15 North West Counties League Premier Division season with a home game against Stockport Sports.

The visit of the Saxons on Saturday, August 2nd will be followed by two successive away matches for Joey Dunn's team.

On Tuesday, August 5th we will go to Congleton Town before heading to Manchester to take on Abbey Hey on Saturday, August 9th.

In issuing the first week's fixtures, the NWCL said that further fixtures for August are dependent on news from leagues above plus FA competitions, so these will not be available until sometime in July.

However, the league's Fixtures Secretary John Reid will work to produce fixtures for the remainder of August as soon as possible.