Runcorn lost to Bacup Borough in the North West Counties Premier League at West View with a score of 4-1. Bacup Borough scored in the 20th minute. and increased their lead in the 28th minute. Bacup Borough extended their lead in the 52nd minute. Bacup Borough scored again in the 56th minute. Tommy Turner fought back with a close range shot in added time of the second half.

Match Report

AT a time when Olympic and Paralympic volunteers are being lauded for their input to an unforgettable summer of sport, a toast is being raised to two of Runcorn Linnets Football Club’s very own ‘games makers’.

Husband and wife Rob and Lynn Johnston were last night (Thursday, September 20) honoured at the 2012 Halton Sports Awards for their valued contributions to community football and dedication to their hometown club. The 10th annual awards ceremony at Stobart Stadium Halton in Widnes was staged by Halton Sports Partnership as a celebration of voluntary sector sport in the borough. The awards recognised the varied achievements of clubs, coaches, volunteers, individuals and schools in the Runcorn and Widnes area. Named Volunteer of the Year, Lynn and Rob were presented with their award by Halton Borough Council’s leader Cllr Rob Polhill as chairman of category sponsors Halton Strategic Partnership. The couple will now represent Halton in the forthcoming Merseyside Future Sporting Champions awards at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.

Lynn and Rob have been officials of Runcorn Linnets FC in Murdishaw, Runcorn, since its formation six years ago. They have been prime movers in the swift development of the Linnets into a community club with impressive facilities at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, which was opened in August 2010. The club, with first and reserve sides in the North West Counties League, also has a thriving youth and junior section. Lynn is club secretary and welfare officer while spearheading Linnets’ bid for FA Charter Standard, successfully completed in 2011. Rob’s operational duties involve a lead role in the establishment, running and maintenance of the Linnets Millbank Stadium. As founder members of the Supporters Trust board which runs the club, the couple epitomise the spirit and determination shown by Linnets members and supporters in safeguarding the long history of predecessor club Runcorn AFC while working tirelessly to establish the new organisation in its own right.

Linnets supporter Dave Bettley, who nominated the Johnstons, said: “When Runcorn AFC, operating as Runcorn FC Halton, became dormant at the end of a traumatic 2005-2006 season, many supporters feared the end of a tradition dating back to 1918. “But fans like Rob and Lynn Johnston were determined not to let the Linnets name die. I first got to know them during that fateful final season of the ‘original’ Linnets and was struck by their unflinching support for an ailing team in exile at Prescot Cables’ ground. “Since becoming officials of the reborn club, they have been similarly unwavering in their commitment. Invariably on match days, they are first to arrive and last to leave. “They each devote between 20-30 hours a week to Runcorn Linnets - despite both holding down full-time jobs.

“Lynn has even been known to cut the pitch and run in the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge Race for club funds/charity. “When the dream of returning to Runcorn started to take shape, Rob upped tools to help turn the facilities into what many would perceive as a purpose-built clubhouse. “Not content with these achievements, Rob spent the 2012 off-season making further improvements with the remodelling of the main entrance/reception area. “There are many who contribute to Runcorn Linnets at many levels but most would identify Rob and Lynn as the lifeblood of the club. Lynn Johnston said “We just do what we do because we love the club, non-league football and everything about sport’. Club chairman Derek Greenwood, who attended the awards dinner with vice chairman Hedley Edwards, said: “There is no doubt at all that Runcorn Linnets would not be where they are today without Lynn and Rob’s support and dedication to the club. So much hard work goes on in the background running a football club at this level. They bring so much to the club and thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

The ceremony was hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside sports presenter Alan Jackson. Special guests included Widnesian Lucy Martin, who competed for Great Britain’s successful women’s road race cycling team at the 2012 Olympics and Halton’s disabilities sports development officer Mark Eccleston, a silver medal winner in wheelchair tennis at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.

An excellent crowd of 120 on Wednesday evening saw Runcorn Linnets Youth follow up their 9-3 away victory at Nantwich Town in the Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup with another convincing 3-1 victory against Northwich Victoria Youth in the First Qualifying Round at the Millbank Linnets Stadium. The Linnets will host Lancaster City Youth or Stalybridge Celtic Youth in the next round, with the date still to be confirmed. Well done to everyone involved!

Runcorn beat Alsager Town in the FA Vase - Second Round Qualifying at Town Ground with a score of 0-1. Danny Smith put the Linnets ahead with a header in the 113th minute.

Match Report

Runcorn beat Squires Gate in the North West Counties Premier League at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 3-2. Squires Gate went ahead in the 3rd minute. Squires Gate increased their lead in the 16th minute. Sean Breen closed the gap with a close range shot in the 23rd minute. Matty Atherton equalised from inside the 6 yard box in the 47th minute. David Hill put the Linnets ahead with a close range shot in the 53rd minute.

Match Report