Members and fans of Runcorn Linnets FC have an opportunity to further invest in the club's future success through a new crowdfunding scheme.

Support the Budget - Let's Go Wild is designed so that supporters can further demonstrate their backing for the club with a one-off pledge ahead of the 2022-23 season.

As a fans-owned club, Linnets will inevitably find it tougher to compete against rivals who are financed by a wealthy benefactor.

The fortunate flip side to this, however, is that the destiny of OUR club has always been - and remains - in the hands of OUR supporters.

This makes all our accomplishments extra special.

Linnets showed in 2021-22 just what can be achieved by reaching the Play-off Finals in the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division against all odds.

It was a season nobody involved with Runcorn Linnets will ever forget and all connected to the club played an invaluable part.

The forthcoming campaign promises to be even more challenging with ambitious Macclesfield joining the mix in an already competitive division as champions of the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Our club has given new manager Dave Wild the best playing budget that we can afford to boost his - and our -  ambitions of going one step further, after coming so close to promotion last time around.

But to make it all work, the club will need even more support and backing after the incredible support it received last season.

Manager Dave Wild said: "I have been overwhelmed by the welcome I have received from the club and supporters.

"The togetherness in the club struck me immediately as something special and if we can all continue to pull in the same direction, I am sure the club can continue to progress.

"This is an important initiative to move the club forward and I promise to do everything I can to help Runcorn Linnets to achieve our goals.

"Any help members and supporters can offer will be truly appreciated."

As its name suggests, the new fundraising initiative is designed to support OUR existing playing budget, not to top it up, and to generally strengthen OUR finances ahead of the new season.

This is a chance, for those, who are able and so wish, to show the new management team and playing squad - many of whom have returned from last season - we are backing them 100%.

Without our fantastic supporters, who last season sent club crowd records tumbling - APEC Taxis Stadium seeing a first-time 1,600 sellout for the home Play-off Final - we could not have achieved what we did.

A JustGiving page has been set up for fans to donate to "Support The Budget - Let's Go Wild'.

We realise that these are difficult times financially but we would really value and appreciate your contributions.

Donations can be made by following the online link

Alternatively, you can contribute by cash, cheque or bank transfer.

The donation window will stay open until the end of July.

Anyone donating £100 or over will receive an exclusive Let's Go Wild T shirt.

For further details of how to donate in person please email [email protected]

If anyone wishes to spread their donation over a longer period, via a standing order, this can be arranged through the same email address.

All contributions will be acknowledged in the club's matchday programme, although donations can be made anonymously if preferred.

Thank you for your support.

It has been another action-packed evening, despite this being the close season, with new manager Dave Wild completing five more important pieces of business as he continues to plan for the campaign ahead.

Two further new signings have been announced, one of them a familiar face to Linnets fans already, while another three players from last season have signalled they are coming back for more.

The latest new recruits are Daryll Grant and Ben Halfacre, both having most recently played for Abbey Hey. The latter is returning for a second spell with Linnets.

Experienced striker Ben made 10 appearances for Runcorn in 2015-16. He has since served our new manager well at Stockport Town and Mossley.

In 2021-22, Ben netted 26 goals in 38 outings for Abbey Hey.

Defender Daryll Grant has played for Dave Wild at Stockport Town, his back story also including stints at Cheadle Town, Droylsden and three years in Australian football.

Daryll played for Manchester City as a junior and Manchester United in his youth. He can play at full back or in  central defence.

The latest players from our 2021-22 squad to commit for the forthcoming campaign have all performed for us with distinction already.

We can't wait to see full backs Ally Brown and James Short plus midfieldman Jacques Welsh in our colours again.  

Pictured clockwise from top left are Daryll Grant, Jacques Welsh, Ally Brown, James Short and Ben Halfacre.

Former Runcorn Linnets striker Jame Rainford has returned to the club as assistant manager.

The appointment sees Jamie reunite with Dave Wild - the manager who signed him for Mossley from Linnets in November 2019.

Jamie scored five goals in 15 Runcorn appearances, including 10 starts.

His transfer to Linnets had been secured after he'd scored 22 goals in 2018-19 to finish joint second in the NPL West scoring charts.

Last season, the 34-year-old scored 18 goals for Ramsbottom United and Glossop North End.

Manager Dave Wild said: "I'm really pleased Jamie has agreed to join me at the club.

"It was essential that my assitant was as committed and hard working to the project at Linnets as I was and he is most certainly that.

"His playing experience and local reputation will play a huge part in the success we aim to bring the club, and the work he's put in already across the last 24 hours is a testament to him."

Skilful winger Stuart Crilly has extended his Runcorn Linnets stay into a third season.

The player made 28 appearances in 2021-22, starting 15 games and scoring three goals.

Stuart joined the club in the 2020-21 pre-season and will be looking to hit the ground running after returning from injury towards the end of 2021-22.

It's great to see him returning for a further stint!

There have been two more additions to incoming manager Dave Wild's support team.

Liam Hudson (pictured top left) joins as data analyst and player liaison officer after previously being on Dave's staff at Stockport Town and Mossley while working alongside him under Paul Phillips at Matlock Town.

Jon Urquhart (right) returns to the kit manager's role, Josh Christian having earlier resigned to concentrate on his Linnets in the Community work.

Runcorn Linnets have also confirmed pre-season fixtures which will pitch the team against a good mix of opposition from North West Counties, NPL Premier, Cymru Premier and National League North.

Admission prices for the home friendles will be announced in due course.