Alan Pye who has died in Australia aged 69, was a prominent local footballer who played for Runcorn AFC in the early to mid 1970s before heading Down Under to begin a new life.

He initially moved to New Zealand, playing for Dunedin City in the country's top division, but subsequently moved to Western Australia to feature in the state's premier league.

It was here that Alan eventually settled, living in Perth with his wife and family after returning to Runcorn for a couple of years in his 30s.

Although he was very much regarded as a hometown player, Alan hailed from Chatham in Kent, but moved to Runcorn at a young age.

He was a skilful and athletic midfield player, who played reserve and first-team football at Canal Street.

Runcorn had a strong and well-established team around that time.

But Alan was a more than useful fringe player under Stan Storton's management.

Long-time fan and Linnets volunteer, Paul Tandy said: "Alan must have only have been 19 or 20 when he played for Runcorn. He moved to New Zealand after that.

"He was best remembered for his late goal that led to us defeating Northwich Vics at the Drill Field - a 20-yarder in the top corner."

Ironically, Alan briefly played for Vics on his return to the UK.

He also played senior football for Runcorn Boys Club.

"They would have been in the Mid- Cheshire League," added Paul. "I remember them playing the likes of Congleton and Kidsgrove in those days.

"He also played for Boston Social in the Runcorn Sunday League, when the league was in a healthy position with big crowds watching games."

Alan, who died on July 19th, leaves wife Jill, sons Aaron and Michael and his grandchildren.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family.

Competition for the No.1 position at Runcorn Linnets has been stoked up with the signing of Danny Taberner.

Danny, 29, joins forner Wrexham stopper Andy Coughlin in our goalkeeping department, having earlier this month left Atherton Collieries after 134 appearances in three spells with Colls.

This isn't the first time that Danny, who played in the second half of Tuesday's friendly at Euxton Villa, has joined Linnets.

In January 2020, he answered an SOS to play in our Northern Premier League home match against Ossett United.

Michael Emery had departed for Warrington Rylands and incoming 'keeper Craig Ellison was unavailable for the match.

Danny, who hails from Bolton, first came to attention at 16 years old as the youngest goalkeeper to play first-team football for Rochdale.

His shock debut came in November 2009 in a home FA Cup first round replay against Luton Town

A YTS player, Danny had been training with the senior squad and, due to an injury crisis, was suddenly thrust into action at Spotland in a tie televised live on ITV4.

Luton won 2-0 after a 3-3 draw at Kenilworth Road.

Danny had been picked up by Rochdale after an extended trial at Liverpool.

But his hopes of a professional career were to be cut short by an ACL injury.

This sidelined Danny for nine months before non-league football offered him a way back into the sport.

Danny played for Salford City and Stockport Sports before being recruited by Colls, for whom he made 94 appearances first time around (2014-2016).

During this period, Colls won the NWCL Division One Cup and promotion to the Premier Division.

Danny moved onto Prestwich Heys and Ramsbottom United before a switch to Northwich Victoria took him to the brink of Wembley in the FA Vase.

Vics were beaten on penalties by Chertsey Town after level scores in the two-legged 2018-19 semi-final.

On leaving Northwich, Danny briefly played for Cheadle Town before in March 2020 returning to Atherton Collieries under the management of former Colls team-mate (and his Vics skipper) Brad Cooke.

Danny made 28 appearances for the NPL Premier Division outfit last season, when he also played nine times for our West Division rivals, City of Liverpool.

He signed for the Purps in October 2021 before heading back to Skuna Stadium.

Runcorn Linnets have set reduced admission charges compared to league prices for our home pre-season friendlies.

Entry to the warm-up games will be £6 for adults and £4 for concessions (those aged 65+ and 19-22 year olds in full-time education) with 18s and under being admitted free.

Linnets' first pre-season appearance at APEC Taxis Stadium is on Saturday, July 23rd against Chester - bringing a quick reunion with Calum McIntyre, who led us to last season's Northern Premier League West play-off final before taking charge at Sealand Road. Kick off is at 5.15pm.

Marine, victors in the aforementioned promotion decider, will come to Murdishaw on Tuesday, August 2nd (7.45pm) to complete Linnets'  home schedule but not before we have entertained Connah's Quay Nomads on Saturday, July 30th at 5pm.

The later Saturday kick-off times are due to other commitments on site in the afternoons.

Runcorn Linnets admission prices for Northern Premier League home games in 2022-23 are £10 for adults and £6 concessions.

Admission for 18s and under remains free for league matches at APEC.

Season tickets are available at £150 for adults and £100 concessions.

Junior matchday membership at £15, including a free scarf, also offers the purchaser priority on tickets, alongside Trust members and season ticket holders, in the event of any games at APEC Taxis Stsdium being all ticket.

To arrange the purchase of season tickets and junior memberships - or for further information - please email [email protected]

They are also on sale at any of the home pre-season matches.

Runcorn Linnets will launch the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division campaign on Saturday, August 13th with a derby match against Widnes.

This is a repeat of the first fixture of 2021-22.

The opening away match, on Tuesday, August 16th, takes us to Mossley - a club Linnets boss Dave Wild has previously managed.

As already announced, we interrupt the league programme on the second Saturday of our season (August 20th) to play in the Emirates FA Cup preliminary round at Trafford or AFC Liverpool.   The remaining August league fixtures are at home to newly-promoted Hanley Town on Tuesday 23rd, away to Prescot Cables on Saturday 27th and at home against Witton Albion, who have joined our Division from the NPL Premier, on Summer Bank Holiday Monday (29th).

Witton will be our hosts for the first game of 2023 on New Year Bank Holiday Monday (January 2nd).

Christmas fayre for Linnets fans is a Monday, December 26th home duel with City of Liverpool, managed by our former boss Michael Ellison.

The return clash at CoL is scheduled for Easter Monday, April 10th with Good Friday pitching us at home to Prescot Cables.

The NPL campaign ends on Sarurday, April 22nd, when we will  be away to Trafford.

Runcorn Linnets supporters are gearing up for another action-packed season - and the start of a new era under boss Dave Wild.

And as the countdown to the big kick off begins in earnest - with the launch of our warm-up friendlies at Stockport Town this Saturday - we are reinstating and launching our popular Player Sponsorship scheme.

Interest is rising as Wildy's plans continue to take shape and, from experience, we know fans will back our boys every step of the way.

For those who are able and wish to supplement their already invaluable support, individual player sponsorship is now available.

Fans can also sponsor members of our managerial, coaching and backroom team.

The scheme is open to companies and organisations as well as individuals.

Following a suggestion at our recent Annual General Meeting, we are making a change to the traditional format.

It will be a multiple sponsorship scheme so that each player or staff member can have more than one sponsor - thereby ensuring that nobody misses out on bagging their No.1 choice.

With the change of manager since the end of a successful 2021-22, it will to a degree be a new-look squad, which takes the field for the forthcoming campaign.

But there is still a strong presence from the group, which reached last season's Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One West play-off final.

A clutch of new signings, some of them familiar faces, will be eager to quickly make their mark and looking to take us to the next level after the promotion near miss in April.

But whether you plump for a returning player, choose one of our newcomers or would like to sponsor someone working hard off the field, the cost of each sponsorship is exactly the same - £100 (including VAT).

Each sponsor will receive the following benefits in return for their investment:

• A signed photograph of their chosen player/staff member
• Acknowledgement alongside their chosen person's profile on the Squad Page of our official club website.
• Inclusion on the Player Sponsorship page in our matchday programme.

Should a player/staff member leave the club during the the season, his sponsor(s) will receive a "free transfer" to another person of their choice!

If you or your business would like to sponsor a member of our squad please email [email protected] - stating your choice of player and sponsor name.

This is also the address for all associated enquiries.

The club will reply with arrangements for payment.

Alternatively, you can send a cheque made payable to Runcorn Linnets FC Limited to Player Sponsorship, Runcorn Linnets FC, APEC Taxis Stadium, Stockham Lane, Runcorn, WA7 6GJ or hand it to Trust Board member Paul Riley on a matchday.

Please include a contact telephone  number or active email address along with your choice of player and sponsor name.

Thank you, as always, for your support.