Prior to the Leek Town game on Easter Saturday, we were advised by our opponents that they were expecting people who were not regular Leek supporters, to travel to the game unofficially by coach.

The safety of supporters will always be our number one priority and we worked closely with Leek Town and the police in detailing arrangements for the game.

Following a thorough review of security arrangements in recent months, the club appointed a new security firm who provided six stewards to attend the game. They were supported by two Leek Town stewards, who provided helpful information.

Consideration was made to make the match all ticket, but without the facility to segregate supporters, it was felt that this would only cause inconvenience to our own supporters and potentially highlight the concerns, which could attract a further undesirable element.

Runcorn Linnets FC would like to thank Leek Town FC, the police and DirectSecurity and Site Detailing for their assistance.

We would also like to thank our own supporters for their restraint and apologise to any supporters who were caused distress.

Again, the safety of our supporters is our number one priority, and we will continue to work to ensure that APEC Taxis Stadium is a safe environment for all.

Should you have any specific concerns that you would like to discuss, please contact Peter Cartledge, Chairman and Club Secretary - Telephone: 07510 626305; Email: [email protected]

An 85th-minute Lloyd Marsh-Hughes goal ensured that Runcorn Linnets will contest the end of season play-offs in the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division.

Marsh-Hughes headed home at the back post from a left-wing cross by James Short, to earn Linnets a hard-fought 1-0 win at Prescot Cables in front of a 1,310 Easter Bank Holiday Monday crowd.

It saw Calum McIntyre's side into the play-off semi-finals with a match to spare.

Runcorn knew at kick-off two points from their last two games would guarantee them a place in the play-offs to decide the second promotion place to the NPL Premier Division.

The West Division champions go up automatically.

In the event, Clitheroe's 1-1 draw at Colne ended the former's hopes of overhauling Linnets - they had been the only team which could have denied Runcorn a top-five finish, and with it a play-off spot, in the final week of the regular season.

The last round of league matches this Saturday will decide finishing positions and the semi-final pairings.

Linnets, although currently in fifth spot, still have a chance of finishing as high as third.

A Runcorn win, coupled with a draw between fellow play-off qualifiers Marine and Leek would earn the Yellow and Greens a home semi-final tie.

Pictured - Lloyd takes the congratulations. Photo: Tom Paul.

Runcorn Linnets were very egg-cited to get back into the community this week.

Officials, managenent, players, supporters and sponsors teamed up in the run up to Easter to donate and deliver more than 200 chocolate eggs to local good causes.

The recipients included Runcorn & District Foodbank, Warrington and Halton Hospitals and Halton Community Appeal.

Our fantastic mascot Ron Corn was let loose over two days, also giving out more than 500 Easter treats to members of the public.

Ron visited some great places. He had a health check at the hospital and his eyes tested aby Specsavers in Runcorn Shopping City.

While in the City and Trident Park, Ron even tried his hand at a few new jobs - at outlets including EE phone shop, Superdrug, Papa John's Pizza, Trident Fish Bar and Cineworld.

But Ron has decided that there's only one job for him - and that's as non-league football's No1 mascot!

Ron had a simply great time assisting club president, Alan Jones at a pop-up stall in Town Square, enjoying the warm welcome from Shopping City management and staff while meeting shoppers and promoting the club.

He'd earlier dropped in at Warrington Wolves Rugby League club's stadium but wasn't too sure about the shape of the balls they use!

Helped on his travels by Anthony's Travel amd club Stadium sponsor APEC Taxis, Ron really enjoyed meeting everyone ahead of the holiday weekend.

He promises to be out and about in the neighbourhood again soon.

Josh Christian, Linnets Trust Board member and community manager, said: "Thank  you to all those who donated Easter eggs for our successful appeal and to club volunteers Ange Murphy and Tina Box for all their support.

"It has been great to bring a smile to people's faces, esspecially in these uncertain times."

Ron Corn and his entourage can now take a short, well-earned rest before Saturday's Pitching In Northern Premier League West visit of Leek Town.

This is the first of two important Easter games for promotion-chasing Linnets - the second being at Prescot Cables on Monday. Both games are 3pm kick offs.

Runcorn Linnets' preparations for next season have received an important boost with the news that Paul Eastup will be returning to the post of club secretary.

Peter Cartledge had already announced his intention to step down from his club secretarial duties at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

This will allow Peter to concentrate on the club chairmanship, a position to which he was appointed by the Trust Board in February of this year.

Peter said: "I have enjoyed my time as secretary and particularly the experience of working closely on team matters with our manager Calum McIntyre.

"It was clear as soon as I became chairman that the demands of both roles were too much for one person but I wanted to see the season through as club secretary, to finish what I started and to make the handover as straight forward as possible.

"We are very fortunate that someone as experienced as Paul readily expressed an interest in taking on again the position of club secretary, which he performed so well previously.

"His knowledge, experience, commitment and diligence will be vital to us going forward. I know full well that he will do a brilliant job."

Paul returned as a club director in February, being co-opted as part of the finance team after a 13-month absence from the Trust Board, on which he had previously spent more than 10 years.

Club secretary from July 2019 to January 2021, Paul is also a club vice-president and former vice-chairman.

Paul said: "During my time away from the board, I really missed the day-to-day involvement with the club, although I was still very much around as a supporter.

"I am delighted that my colleagues have agreed to me returning as club secretary.

"I very much look forward to liaising with the management team and players, and the other football secretaries in the club, while making or renewing acquaintances throughout the Northern Premier League and the FA."

Runcorn Linnets are sorry to announce that Josh Christian is to step down as kit manager.

Josh only ever accepted the position on a temporary basis, to help the club out, but has ended up carrying on with his duties for two years.

Getting to matches has often been difficult since, as a non-driver, Josh does not have his own transport.

His workload has also gradually increased beyond the initial first- team remit to also include responsibility for cleaning, maintaining and preparing kit for three other Linnets teams.

The Trust Board now plans to look at splitting responsibility for kit management at first, Ladies, Academy and U21s team levels so that ideally, each is served by individual kit volunteers.

But not withstanding this, and as much as he has enjoyed his backroom involvement, Josh believes it's time he stepped down to concentrate on his primary role as club community officer on the Board.

Josh fully intends, however, to complete the season as kit manager before passing the baton on to his successor.

Josh said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as kit manager, although it has been challenging at times.

"I'd like to thank Calum, all the managerial and coaching staff and obviously, the players for making the role so pleasurable.

"I am sure whoever takes over will find it very rewarding and really relish the involvement behind the scenes".

Club chairman, Peter Cartledge said: "We are very grateful to Josh, particularly as he initially only took the role on a short-term basis.

"As ever, he has done a superb job with his usual care, diligence and tireless enthusiasm.

"He is now looking forward to ploughing even more hours and effort into his club community work."

The role of first-team kit manager is to be advertised.

The role is voluntary but the successful applicant will receive an expense allowance.