The club is sorry to have to report the recent death of former Runcorn centre forward John Worth. Older Linnets fans will remember John well from his time at Canal Street and also as a player at Altrincham. John’s funeral will take place at Manchester Crematorium (Southern Cemetery), M21 7GZ, at noon on Friday, 22 February 2013.

The club has signed Chris Lomax from St Helens. We'd like to welcome Chris to the club, and wish him good luck!

Every football club has officials whose personalities shape its character. George Worrall, who has passed away in his 89th year, was a central figure at Runcorn AFC over four decades.

George had suffered several years of deteriorating health and had not had any direct involvement with the reformed club but for many people involved at Canal Street and indeed with our rivals both locally and nationwide the name of G H Worrall was synonymous with the Linnets.

Runcorn born and bred, George was Runcorn AFC through and through. In his years as club secretary, he was also the first point of contact at Canal Street for the governors of the game at county and national levels and would fervently fight the club’s corner – particularly if he felt it had been the victim of injustice.

George’s involvement with the club began in the early 1970s as one of the enthusiasts who formed the reserves team committee. In those days, the phrase club development was hardly a watch word but George and his contemporaries felt the reintroduction of a second-tier team imperative to the re-emergence of a club which had fallen into the doldrums despite the 1967 FA Cup defeat of Notts County.

The second-team committee included Jimmy Dunn, who George would succeed as chairman, along with Terry Clare, Stan Farmer and my dad Wilf - later to be joined by mum Joan as treasurer.

During his chairmanship, George ran a tight, and successful, ship. The fortunes of the reserves side ebbed and flowed but the success of the first team managed by Stan Storton in the mid to late 70s perhaps denied the talented players in the West Cheshire League team a chance to shine at senior level.

It is easy to forget, however, that players such as Tim Rutter, Tony Murphy and Derek Baker, who were Northern Premier League title winners and reached FA Trophy semi-finals under Storton had come through the reserve team’s ranks. Other protégés such as Graham Abel and Eddie Bishop went on to full-time football careers.

The second string’s volunteer officials, likewise, flourished. Terry Clare and Stan Farmer were influential figures on the district and county FAs – Terry, a frequent visitor to The Millbank Linnets Stadium, remains so to this day.

George Worrall, meanwhile, went on to become club secretary at Canal Street – his ‘reign’ spanning all three Wembley appearances in 1986, 1993 and 1994.

He had announced his retirement from the post in advance of the ’94 final against Woking and although hopes of making it third time lucky with a twin-tower win were not to be, this was not for the want of trying on George’s behalf.

George, who had worked at ICI’s Heath Offices, was methodical and meticulous in everything he did - a stickler for high standards. It is true to say he did not suffer fools gladly but what might be interpreted as a brusque exterior was a smokescreen to a softer centre.

As a friend, he was reliable, trustworthy and compassionate. He was hugely passionate about the Runcorn club and always had a story to tell from its past.

He was held in high esteem by the secretaries of other clubs and through his indomitable sense of fair play would always try to help them out of a tight spot with help or advice. He was fiercely loyal to, and protective of, his club chairmen and also assisted his successors as secretary, including Dave Bignall and Alan Jones.

Nobody wore the club badge with greater pride than George, whose other great footballing love was Liverpool FC.

He and my dad were at Wembley together to see the Reds lift the FA Cup for the first time in 1965 and to my knowledge, he attended at least two more finals.

Away from the game, George’s main hobbies were angling (his fisherman’s tales invariably ending in some kind of disaster!) and classical music, an interest which stemmed from his mother being a classically-trained singer.

His father had been badly injured during the First World War and George’s service in the Burma campaign of the Second World War also had a profound effect on him.

George, always so fit and active, had suffered deteriorating health in recent years. He died on Saturday, February 16 after a six-month stay at St Luke’s nursing home in Palacefields.

A loving husband to Hilda, father to Nick and granddad to Mark and Leanne, he will be greatly missed by his many friends.

Dave Bettley

Runcorn beat Winsford United in the League Challenge Cup - 3rd Round at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 3-2. Kyle Hamid scored for the Linnets from the penalty spot in the 21st minute. Ross McDowell increased the Linnets' lead with a fantastic strike in the 26th minute. Winsford United closed the gap in the 34th minute. Winsford United equalised in the 40th minute. Mark Houghton put the Linnets ahead with a close range shot in the 104th minute.

Match Report

Runcorn beat Silsden in the North West Counties Premier League at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 6-1. Silsden scored in the 43rd minute. Mark Houghton equalised with a fantastic strike in the 44th minute. Ross McDowell put the Linnets ahead from inside the 6 yard box in the 47th minute. Ross McDowell increased the Linnets' lead after a scrabble in front of goal in the 49th minute. Ross McDowell extended our lead with a close range shot in the 58th minute. Michael Simpson put us four goals clear from inside the 6 yard box in the 60th minute. Ross McDowell added another to our tally in the 75th minute.

Match Report