Runcorn Linnets Under 21s manager Dean Vian has stepped down from the post.

His assistant Bren Rowley has also resigned.

Both men had been at the club since the start of the year, leading a young team in the Premier Division of the North West U21s Development League.

The recruitment process to find their successors is under way.

Club chairman Pete Cartledge said:  "Our thanks go to Dean and Bren for the work they have done on behalf of the club and we wish them both well.

"We expect to have successors in place for the start of the new season."

Runcorn Linnets favourite Dapo Olarewaju is to join Abbey Hey of the North West Counties League on dual registration in order to help him deal with a family matter.

Linnets manager Dave Wild stressed that this is only a temporary move so that the Manchester-based player can be closer to home for the immediate future.

Wild added that the popular winger Dapo remains very much in his plans.

The boss said: "Dapo has opened up to me this weekend, regarding a pretty serious family issue that's been affecting him mentally.

"We've agreed that he needs to play close to home for a short period of time to support his family.

"This is NOT Dapo leaving - it's us, as a club, supporting him."

Dapo heads to Abbey Hey with all good wishes and we very much look forward to his return to Runcorn Linnets when he feels ready.

Runcorn Linnets have pulled off a double loan deal with the signings of Zack Clarke and Sam Turner, both 19-year-old attacking players from National League North club Chester.

Zack (pictured left) is a 6ft 3in striker, Linnets being his fourth loan club in Pitching In Northern Premier League football.

Zack joined Chester in summer 2021 after impressive performances in the Stockport County Academy and signed his second 12- month contract at the Deva Stadium in May.

He last season had stints at Leek Town, Clitheroe and Atherton Collieries.

Zack got his first taste of league action with Chester in January, coming off the bench to play the last half hour against AFC Telford United.

Winger Sam (right) has been with his home city club since he was nine years old and impressed on stepping up to the senior ranks last pre-season.

He had been part of the Under 19s team, which lifted the National League Alliance Cup in March 2021 under the now Chester first team boss Calum McIntyre, scoring in the decisive penalty shootout.

Since penning his first senior deal last August, Sam has also spent valuable time on loan at Lower Breck in the North West Counties League Premier Division and more recently Widnes, our NPL West neighbours.

He this month signed a new contract with Blues for a further 12 months.

More about our new loan signings...

ZACK CLARKE

Here is a timeline of Zack's career so far:

June 2021

The then 18-year-old striker arrived at Chester on leaving Stockport County after a successful spell in their youth setup, culminating in him winning the Academy 2nd Year Players' Player of the Year Award.

He made an immediate impression with a four-goal haul in a friendly against Elton Vale.

Chester's then co-manager Anthony said of Zack:

"His hold up play and general game awareness is fantastic for such a young player, and we believe we have a very good young centre forward on our hands."

August 2021

Zack joined Leek Town on loan on an initial 28-day youth loan.

September 2021

Chester announced that the young striker would be signing with Clitheroe on loan.

October 2021

The Clitheroe deal was extended, Zack having scored on his debut for the Lancastrians with the winning goal at Kendal Town. He would score three goals in seven Clitheroe appearances overall.

December 2021

Zack was recalled from his spell at Clitheroe before stepping up a division, signing a one-month loan with Atherton Collieries in NPL Premier.

January 2022

Zack made a his National League North debut for Chester in a 1-1 draw against Telford United, coming off the bench for the last half hour.

This came 24 hours after Zack had played 90 minutes for Colls.

Steve Watson said: "I put Zack on to give us some legs. I'm pleased for him. He gave us a lot of energy."

February 2022

Zack returned to Colls on loan, the last of his 15 appearances coming at FC United of Manchester in April.

May 2022

The player penned a new one-year-deal at Chester

Seals manager Calum McIntyre said: "He has an exciting profile in terms of physicality and has had some useful opportunities out on loan in senior football this season.

"With the move to daytime training and increased contact time with our players, we hope to be able to develop Zack further given the potential he has shown."

SAM TURNER

Sam's senior career is summarised below:

August 2021

Sam became the latest Chester Academy graduate to sign a senior deal at the Deva Stadium.

The then 18-year-old forward was immediately loaned to North West Counties Premier Division side Lower Breck for the 2021-22 campaign.

He was described by the then Blues joint boss Anthony Johnson as "terrifically gifted young technical player" and by Calum McIntyre, Academy head at the time, as "an outstanding talent."

January 2022

Chester recalled Sam from Lower Breck after a "hugely successful" spell , agreeimg a one-month youth loan move to Widnes.

February 2022

After Sam had followed up his first goal against Clitheroe in late Jsnuary by also scoring in their next game versus Ramsbottom, it was confirmed that Chester had consented to the player spending the remainder of the season with Widnes. He made 16 appearances in all.

July 2022

Sam was rewarded with a new 12-month contract at Chester.

Promising teenager Callum McHale has joined Runcorn Linnets on loan from National League North club, Chorley.

Callum is one of four young players, who had earlier been promoted into the Magpies first-team squad for the 2022-23 season.

The Lancashire outfit has built a strong reputation for producing talent through its youth system and both Runcorn Linnets and Callum will benefit from the agreement which brings him to APEC Taxis Stadium.

Callum has already turned out for Linnets in our friendlies against Chester and Stockport Georgians, where he particularly impressed.

He last season headed the goal charts for Chorley's Education Programme team before stepping up late in the campaign to the Under 21s.

Now among nine players in the senior squad at Victory Park with links to the youth set-up, the 18-year-old forward has scored five times for Chorley in this summer's friendlies – against Euxton Villa, Bacup Borough and Burscough.

Striker Josh Quarless has been snapped up by Runcorn Linnets manager Dave Wild after two appearances as a trialist.

Josh, a towering 6ft 7in tall, joins our 2022-23 squad, having scored 21 goals last season.

He started the campaign at Burscough, chalking up 13 goals and five man-of-the-match performances for the North West Counties League Premier Division outfit.

In Novenber of last year, Josh made the move to City of Liverpool whose interest had been sparked by impressive performances against them in friendlies.

Josh had chipped in with a goal and an assist for Burscough in a behind-closed-doors fixture versus the Purps in December 2020.

He followed up with another eye-catching display when the clubs met again ahead of the 2021-22 close season.

Likewise, as Josh arrived on our doorstep for Saturday's third warm-up game against Chester FC, Linnets fans were quick to recall his destructive performance against us for CoL in last season's away defeat at Ellesmere Port.

He netted eight times in 26 appearances for our Northern Premier League West Division rivals, including two on debut against Leek Town.

Josh is also no stranger to fans of Sunday football in Liverpool, on account of his scoring exploits for FC Dovecot and Sefton Athletic.

He offers so much more than scoring with his ability to bring others into play.

The player, from the Walton area of Liverpool, was a relatively late convert to the striking position.

He had played in junior football initially as a left back but mostly as a central midfielder.

Josh comes from a sporting family.

Dad, Noel was a prominent professional boxer, who once shared the ring with Lennox Lewis, but encouraged Josh's involvement in football rather than the fight game.

In his youth, Josh had trials at Everton, Blackpool. St Mirren and Motherwell without being taken on.

He drifted out of football, disillusioned at lack of opportunities to progress, before his passion for playing was reignited in amateur football.

He had always felt his stature and skills were more suited to an attacking role and this is where his reputation has been made.

Josh opened his Runcorn Linnets account with our final goal in Tuesday's 4-1 friendly win at Stockport Georgians and hopefully there are many more to follow.