JOEY Dunn will complete 12 months as manager of Runcorn Linnets this Saturday (November 30) at the place where it all began.

The trip to Ashton Athletic sees a repeat of Dunn's first assignment as Linnets boss with a North West Counties League Premier Division trip to Ashton Athletic.

If his third-placed team – five points off the top with four games in hand - can come anywhere near matching the 6-0 victory he enjoyed on his December 1st 2012 debut, Dunn won't be complaining. "I discussed this with Stu (assistant Stuart Humphreys) last week and we both said it felt like we have been here a lot longer,"reflected Dunn, who in May guided Runcorn to their first winners' trophy since formation in 2006 when lifting the NWCL Challenge Cup.

"It goes without saying that the year has been a great experience and it feels like we are just building some really good foundations. We knew that when we came in that we had to change things around so that to beat us clubs were overjoyed with a scalp as opposed to the side being ridiculed and dismissed as big-time Charlies and this club doesn't deserve that."

Dunn added: "Unfortunately, there were one or two issues which very quickly came to the fore and were sorted out, I have to say with a real hint of quality and integrity by the club.

"Lots of players came and others naturally went and what we wanted to achieve was what we are now. A club that others expect to be a top side, expect to have to defend against and know that they may have to try to resort of physicality when it needs."

"We have been made to feel welcome and appreciated by the supporters and the board have been top drawer supporting us.

"Clearly, the way forward has to be, as I have outlined many times before, as one team. We have a really great set-up, an ambitious Trust Board but more importantly a set of supporters who absolutely crave the success that we are working hard to achieve.

"It feels really great being the manager of Runcorn Linnets FC and for that I am really grateful and it's something that is never lost on me when we have won and we enjoy that experience of leaving the field to the fans' applause.

"Hopefully, we can build on the success of last year and continue to have more great days as we have experienced this year".

Runcorn beat Wigan Robin Park in the North West Counties Premier League at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 3-2. Ross McDowell scored for the Linnets with a header in the 31st minute. Ross McDowell increased the Linnets' lead from inside the penalty area in the 36th minute. Wigan Robin Park closed the gap in the 73rd minute. Wigan Robin Park equalised in the 79th minute. Kevin Towey scored for the Linnets with a fantastic strike in added time of the second half.

Match Report   Pictures

Runcorn beat Bacup & Rossendale Borough in the North West Counties Premier League at West View with a score of 1-3. Matty Atherton scored for the Linnets from the penalty spot in the 15th minute. Mark Houghton increased the Linnets' lead with a close range shot in the 25th minute. Matty Atherton extended our lead from inside the 6 yard box in the 46th minute. Bacup & Rossendale Borough pulled one back in the 53rd minute. Bacup down to 10 men in last minutes.

Match Report   Pictures

The club regrets to inform supporters of the death of Alan Littler, a former chairman of Runcorn AFC.

Alan, 82, had most recently been living in Spain where he took ill over the weekend. He died peacefully in hospital with his family at his bedside.

He grew up in Highfield Terrace, only yards from the Linnets' ground in Canal Street and became a staunch supporter of the club.

He had a couple of spells as its chairman and, in younger days, had even turned out for the Linnets when the team was left short of players for an away trip. Alan had apparently been on the team coach and suddenly found himself summoned into emergency action.

He was the Runcorn chairman when the club won the Alliance Premier League title in 1981-82 and around that time, was interviewed on BBC's regional evening news programme about the Linnets' dream of Football League status.

However, competition at the top level of non-league football became ever more intense with the spending power of ambitious and more affluent clubs, particularly in the South of England, making it tough for Runcorn to keep pace.

It was all the more remarkable, therefore, that the club overcame financial difficulties to reach Wembley for its first FA Trophy final, against Altrincham, in 1986 with Alan as chairman.

Alan around that time lived in Clifton Road, Runcorn, and owned Omega Welding & Engineering which expanded from a factory in Picow Farm Road, Runcorn, to bigger premises on Whitehouse Industrial Estate in the town, the company being managed by Peter Redican - another Linnets official from that era.

After a spell living in Majorca, Alan returned to live in Runcorn, making a home in Sandymoor. He was a member of, and played at, Runcorn Golf Club but later moved back to Spain, settling on the mainland.

His daughter Melanie said: "I have many times had conversations with him about RFC, it was very much part of his life, and not so long ago when I introduced him into the world of internet, the first thing we looked for was RFC website, it was always in his heart."

Runcorn Linnets are extremely saddened to hear of Alan's passing and our deepest sympathies are extended to his wife Doris. daughter Melanie and family.

The Linnets have been drawn away to Hyde FC in the Cheshire Senior Cup. The match is to be played in the week commencing 13th January next year.