Men's Team

Unfortunately, we have had our last two games against Market Drayton Town and Colne postponed due to adverse weather so there isn't really much to talk about. Results mainly went our way and we ended up one place and one point outside the play off places with two games in hand on the team in 5th place and three on the other teams on the play-off places.

We did announce the signing of James Steele from Widnes on Sunday and from what I've seen in training he should be a very good addition to Calum's squad.

We finally get back into action at the APEC Taxis Stadium with a game against Glossop North End on Saturday, which will be quickly followed by a trip to Marine on Tuesday 14th December.

Linnets Ladies

The Ladies played a very good Curzon Ashton Women's side and found themselves a goal and a player down after conceding a penalty on 27 minutes. Despite that setback the remaining 10 players battled hard and went in at half time only that goal behind. Unfortunately, the player deficit took its toll in the 2nd half and they eventually lost the game 5-0. It was a very spirited display after going down to 10 and showed good signs for the future.

Next up for the Ladies is away game at the Warrington Wolves Foundation Women's on Sunday 12th December at 2pm.

Development Team

There was no game for the Development Team last weekend, as the game at Chorley FC U21s was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Their next game will at the APEC Taxis Stadium against Winstanley Warriors FC U21s on Sunday 12th December at 12pm.

Ground Improvements

Spenny and the team have completed the cover at the bottom end of the ground and I have to say it looks brilliant, it's great to finally have some cover down that end so the Linnets faithful can cheer the lads on from behind the goal we are attacking in all weathers. We have already begun planning on extending the cover so it covers more of the bottom end.

Thank you all for reading.

Dave Jones

Runcorn Linnets FC - Chairman

Men's Team

Our game against Market Drayton Town fell victim to Storm Arwen on Saturday with their stadium suffering structural damage. For those who want to know, I instead went to watch 1874 Northwich play Widnes which saw both teams struggle with the conditions (there was a very cold wind!) and Widnes run out 3-0 winners. As we did not play, we dropped down a few places but remained in the play-off positions with games in hand on the teams around us. We would all rather have the points on the board than games in hand but we are in a good position.

Our next game should hopefully be at Colne on Saturday 4th December but they had a home game postponed on Tuesday due to a waterlogged pitch so hopefully it will have dried out before Saturday.

Linnets Ladies

The Ladies also saw their weekend game postponed due to the weather but this time it was due to a waterlogged pitch.

Next up for the Ladies is a home game at the APEC Taxis Stadium against Curzon Ashton FC Women on Sunday 5th December at 2pm.

Development Team

There was no game for the Development Team last weekend, as the APEC Taxis Stadium was adjudged to be too frozen by the matchday referee.

Their next game will be against Chorley FC U21 on Sunday 5th December at Victory Park, Duke Street, Chorley, PR7 3DU at 2pm.

Academy Team

I finally managed to get to the APEC Taxis Stadium to watch our ESPFA Academy Team on Thursday and they must have known I was there as they put on a very impressive performance to beat Mickleover 15 (FIFTEEN) nil. It was a very impressive performance from the lads, especially considering it is difficult to motivate yourself when winning easily.

Akidamey

As I'm sure some of you will be aware, a sum of money was taken from a Sunday Akidamey session at the APEC Taxis Stadium. Volunteers from our Juniors Section give up their time on a Sunday morning to provide affordable training sessions for the children of Runcorn and for someone to do this is absolutely heart-breaking. The only people who lose out are the kids, as the money paid by the parents of the kids who attend the Akidamey sessions is used to buy equipment for them.

Trust Annual General Meeting

Just a reminder that the Trust AGM will be taking place on Wednesday 15th December at 7pm in The Clubhouse at the APEC Taxis Stadium, Stockham Lane, Murdishaw, Runcorn, WA7 6GJ.

Thank you all for reading.

Dave Jones

Runcorn Linnets FC - Chairman

Men's Team

So, Calum pulled off another tactical master class to beat Warrington Rylands and take us up to 3rd in the table. Lloyd Marsh-Hughes gave us the lead with a well worked goal before new boy Lewis Doyle made it 2-0 with an absolute peach into the top corner. Joe Young put in one of his best performances in a Linnets shirt and kept Rylands at bay with some outstanding saves.

Next we travel to Market Drayton and I'm absolutely delighted that Tina and Josh have succeeded in sorting a coach for the travelling fans. I know just how difficult it is to organise from when I ran the Supporters Group travel club and they deserve enormous credit to pull it off. The support this season has been fantastic and it's great to see so many new faces not just at the APEC but at away games too.

Linnets Ladies

The Ladies played Ellesmere Port Town Ladies at the APEC in the Cheshire Cup on Sunday and put in a dominant display as they progressed to the next round with a 3-1 win. In the past weeks I've been talking about good performances but not being able to convert them into a win so it was great to see all the hard work rewarded with a good win.

Next up for the Ladies is an away game against Didsbury at the Didsbury Sports Ground, Ford Lane, Didsbury, M20 2RU on Sunday 28th November at 2pm.

Development Team

There was no game for the Development Team last weekend but they are back in action on Friday 26th November at the APEC Taxis Stadium (kick off time to be confirmed) against Witton Albion Development Squad.

The Development Team manager Robbie Gibbons has recently informed me that he will be stepping down from his role due to work and family reasons and I would like to thank Gibbo for his work in assembling a good squad in difficult circumstances. We will be making an announcement regarding hi replacement in due course.

Academy Team

The ESPFA academy team continued their 100% start to the season with a 2-0 win away at Witton Albion in the cup with goals from Reece Jones and Lucas Wilson.

There next game will have been at the APEC Taxis Stadium on Thursday 25th November.

Ground Improvements

I informed you last week that work had begun on the cover for the far end and I hope you all managed to have a look against Warrington Rylands. This work has begun on attaching the sheeting for the accrual cover to the framework and the work will be completed before our next home game, so both ends of the ground will have cover to protect fans from the winter weather.

Trust Board Elections

The results of this year's Trust Board elections have been announced and as there were less nominees than there were positions available myself, Bren Connolly, Paul Riley and Jack Walsh were automatically elected to the board.

Even though attendances have massively increased this season, Trust membership has actually decreased and I would encourage all our new fans to consider joining the Trust as the Trust is an essential part of how our club is run. The deadline has passed for involvement in this year's AGM but you can join the trust at any time.

Thank you all for reading.

Dave Jones

Runcorn Linnets FC - Chairman

The Linnets are extremely saddened to report that popular former centre half Graham Hill, who twice played in the Yellow and Green at Wembley, has died after a long illness.

Graham, 55, had battled cancer for many years with the same redoubtable spirit and positive attitude that he showed on the football field.

He was very influential in Runcorn AFC reaching successive FA Trophy finals in the 1990s.

The Linnets lost to former Northern Ireland international Martin ONeill's Wycombe Wanderers in '93 and the following year, were beaten by Woking.

On both occasions, Runcorn were big underdogs. Just to reach the twin towers at a time when the club was under financial strife and hit by off-field disasters, including the destruction by fire of their main stand, was a huge achievement.

Graham in many ways epitomised the Linnets' Trophy final teams - genuine, brave, honest and committed.

But he and his team-mates also had ability in abundance, helping the club to punch well above its weight in the fifth tier of English football, the Vauxhall Conference (now known as the National League).

During Graham's time with the Linnets, the 1992 Bob Lord Trophy final was also reached, this being the League Challenge Cup for Conference sides.

Runcorn lost 2-1 on aggregate to Wycombe, having won the first leg at Canal Street 1-0.

Wycombe boss O'Neill reportedly took champagne into the away dressing room at Adams Park after the trophy presentation - such was his admiration for the Runcorn performances.

The Linnets camp around this was a tightly-knit unit, firm and long-standing friendships being formed between the players and management team led admirably by manager, John Carroll.

Graham and Arthur Williams, goalkeeper in both '90s Wembley appearances, had a particularly strong bond. After retirement from playing, they trained racing greyhounds together.

Many of the players, Graham included, were very sadly reunited in tribute to their former boss at John's funeral in 2016.

In the Runcorn Weekly News pre-match edition for the 1993 Trophy final, John described Graham as "an excellent on-field communicator", "a great competitor, strong in the air and a good marker" - in summary, "as good a centre half as there is in the Conference".

Graham joined Runcorn from Curzon Ashton, bringing family, including his parents, Gordon and Olivia, as supporters.

He later played against the Linnets for Leigh RMI with whom he had gained promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division as Division One runners-up in 1996-97.

The now defunct RMI reached the FA Cup first round in 1998-99, Graham starring in a 1-1 draw at Fulham, big spenders in the Second Division (equivalent of today's Championship).

The Cottagers won the Hilton Park replay 0-2.

Graham's other club as a player was Chorley. He went on to serve Brooklands Dragons Junior FC as head of coaches, a team manager and club secretary.

Horwich-born Graham was also a good cricketer, playing alongside brother Iain in the Bolton League, mostly for Westhoughton but also Farnworth SC.

Very sadly, Graham developed myeloma, a form of blood cancer, and POEMS syndrome, a rare blood disorder that damages the nerves.

He was unable to stand or walk freely and used a frame.

Before falling ill, he had been a national retail manager for construction services and materials firm, Hilti GB.

Runcorn Linnets send our deepest sympathy to Graham's wife Anne, their son Ryan, other family and friends at this very distressing time.

The funeral service is at 12 noon on Thursday, December 9th at St Paul's Church, Springfield Road, Sale, M33 YAA.

The cortege will leave, on foot, from Graham's home in Broadoaks Road for the short journey to St Paul's. Please arrive early, if travelling by car, to secure a parking place.

Interment will follow at Dunham Lawn Cemetery in Dunham Massey, Altrincham.

Photo credit: Runcorn Weekly News.

Nominations for the Trust Board of Runcorn Linnets closed at 7pm on Wednesday, November 17th.

Four applications for the six vacancies on the board in the 2021 rotation were received by Trust secretary, Dave Bettley.

All were valid and with there being fewer nominations than available places, the Trust rule is that all four candidates are automatically elected to serve for two years from the 2021 AGM.

This has led to the re-election of club chairman Dave Jones and, in Bren Connolly, Paul Riley and Jack Walsh, the addition to the board of three newcomers, all of whom have already performed various volunteer roles at the club.

The elected candidates (in alphabetical order of surname) are:

Bren Connolly Nominated by: A P Jones, Ste Bignall

David Jones Nominated by: Peter Cartledge, Josh Christian.

Paul Riley Nominated by: A P Jones,  Alan Spendlove ("Spenny")

Jack Walsh Nominated by: David Jones, Josh Christian.

We are sure Trust members will join us in wishing them every success.

There were no member resolutions submitted for the AGM on Wednesday, December 15th.

Full details of the meeting in the clubhouse at APEC Taxis Stadium (7pm) will be mailed to members in due course.