Runcorn drew with Atherton L.R. in the Vodkat Premier League at Crilly Park with a score of 3-3. Fans arrived to find that the match was in doubt due to the amount of water on the pitch. With the referee happy for the game to go ahead if the standing water could be cleared, and with us keen to avoid extra fixture to rearrange in an already busy schedule, Derek Greenwood and Rob Johnston got on with the task of helping to clear the water.

There was a late kick-off - 8:00pm. Atherton went ahead in the 8th minute, and doubled their score five minutes before half time. In the second half, the Linnets looked more dangerous, Matty Clarkson scored in the 50th. In the 62nd minute, Paul Fildes hit the woodword from the penalty spot leaving fans wondering what we need to do to put a penalty away. Atherton responded, to compound the miserty, with an immediate goal. In the 80th minute substitute Matty Atherton got the Linnets' second, and with two minutes to go, the fans could hardly watch as a second penalty was awarded. This time Michael Case came forward, and although the initial shot was saved, the rebound was well and truly put into the back of the net.

Match Report

Runcorn lost to Newcastle Town in the Vodkat Premier League at Wincham Park with a score of 2-3. Newcastle ahead in 19th, second in 30th. Michael Case scored a minute later. Paul Fildes equalised in the 44th. Newcastle ahead in 88th. Rob Whyte misses penalty in 89th.

Match Report

Runcorn Linnets are marking their move into The Millbank Linnets Stadium by introducing initiatives to integrate local youngsters into the club and hopefully discover the next Wayne Rooney by providing a free-of-charge course to deliver sports-related qualifications.

As well as the introduction of the Runcorn Linnets Youth and Reserve team, the club will be launching The Runcorn Linnets Academy, an NVQ Level 2 course in Sport Recreation and Allied Occupations with Activity Leadership. The scheme has been developed by Luis Michael Training and will be delivered in partnership by Runcorn Linnets and Xtra Time Training.

The course will run one week day evening and is for 16-18 year old girls and boys. The duration of the course is 20-26 weeks and the training will be club based. All the students will receive a minimum of 7 qualifications these being:

• 1) NVQ Level 2 in Sports Recreation, Allied Occupations & Activity Leadership
• 2) Club Welfare
• 3) Emergency First Aid
• 4) Key Skills in Application of Number Level 1
• 5) Key Skills in Communication Level 1
• 6) CSLA - Community Sports Leader Award
• 7) 1st4Sport Technical Certificate

Mark Buckley, from the Runcorn Linnets Football Development Group, said “This great scheme is the first in a series of initiatives designed to develop the infra-structure of the club. As the club moves into The Millbank Linnets Stadium over the next couple of months, we felt it important that we are able to demonstrate the chance that local youngsters will get to show their skills, progress through the ranks and hopefully one day represent the Runcorn Linnets first team. As well as the youth team and reserve team that will play next year, this scheme will give local youngsters a great chance to gain valid qualifications in a sports environment, as well as a great introduction to the club.”

For further details on the course content, anyone interested should contact Danny Johnson - Email: [email protected] or Mobile 07971 575 078.

Enrolment for the course takes place on Tuesday 23rd March 2010 at 7pm, at The Millbank Linnets Stadium, Murdishaw Avenue, Runcorn. For enrolment details contact Mark Buckley on 07538 606 823, and a detailed brochure is available for download here.

Back Row L-R: Stephen Spencer, Chris Hough, Luke Routledge,
Ryan Mayers, Danny Hesketh, Paul Dinsdale, Connor Ludgate
Front Row L-R: Nathan Cheetham, Chris Foster, Joe Nolan,
James Rigby, Ryan Lynskey, Tom Baker, Jay Dorrian

The club are pleased to announce a deal which will see Widnes Wolves U16s football team become Runcorn Linnets Youth team from the start of next season. Wolves manager Tony Nolan, said “It is an exciting opportunity for us to be joining Runcorn Linnets, the lads are all local to the Runcorn and Widnes area and have been together for a number of years. They enjoy their football and have a great attitude to the game. I feel this is the next step up the football ladder for them, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing some of them making the grade and representing the Linnets at first team level in the near future. “

As well as a Youth side, the club will be running a Reserve Team next season and are currently in discussion with local youth sides, with a view to bringing a full youth set up to Runcorn Linnets. Mark Buckley, from the clubs Football Development Group, added, “We are very pleased about the prospect of The Wolves coming to the club. I have watched them a couple of times lately, and they a great bunch of talented young lads, with a great attitude and work ethic. This is the first step in a patient but very deliberate plan to bring about a structure where a youngster can come on board at Runcorn Linnets at a very early age, and progress through the ranks to the first team and hopefully beyond.

“Hopefully we can make some more announcements in the very near future, but in the meantime the behind-the-scenes work continues. Our priorities are to ensure that the new Youth Team and Reserve team are properly set up and entered into an appropriate League for the 2010/11 season, and for everyone to understand what we are trying to achieve at the club. The people and team at The Wolves ticked all the right boxes and we are very excited at the prospect of them joining Runcorn Linnets.”

Pictured are the current Wolves team, who will be presented to the Runcorn fans at the game on Saturday 27th March at the home game versus Formby at Wincham Park.

Runcorn lost to Winsford United in the Vodkat Premier League at Barton Stadium with a score of 1-0. Winsford ahead in 75th.

Match Report