Runcorn’s manager Steve Carragher is under no illusions about how hard the remaining weeks of the season will be. In a desperate financial situation, it’s been necessary to let a number of players go; Lee Furlong has gone to Vauxhall, Colin Flood to Marine, Shaun Whalley to Witton, and Adam Hunter to Prescot Cables to name a few. Consequently, fans can expect to see a number of new faces in the line-up on Wednesday night’s league fixture against Witton Albion at Valerie Park. However, reassuring news is that ‘keeper Robbie Holcroft is set to stay.

Runcorn’s position in the UniBond Premier Division is looking tenuous, with the club having courted the drop zone since the start of the New Year, but the feeling is that continuing to play in the UniBond, whether that’s the Premier or First, is the best course for the club. Dropping out into the North West Counties league is a possibility that has been considered, and would reduce costs at a crucial time in the club’s future, but it is felt that the UniBond still offers the best prospects for the survival of the club.

Speculation about the club’s financial situation has been rife in recent weeks, but despite the difficulties, the club still believes it has a future – a future that belongs in Runcorn.

After spending 10 years, almost to the day, as Chairman of the club, Dr Dave Robertson looks to the future of the club. It’s evident that survival of the club is dependent upon its ability to sustain itself and not be reliant upon one or more generous benefactors to bank-roll it. The club recognises that self sustainability is key to its survival, but that it is also extremely difficult when not having a base or ground in their home town.

Consequently, the club is adamant that the future has to include a return to Runcorn, with Pavilions being the preferred location. Bringing the facilities up to the standards required for one of the top 32 non-league clubs in the country will have to become one of the highest priorities within its new 3 year plan.

The plan will give a route-map for the club’s return to Runcorn, and hopes to provide the basis for increased support within the town. Obviously, not relishing the possibilities of relegation to the UniBond First Division, should it occur the club would capitalise on the opportunity to keep costs to a minimum and try to establish a stable financial footing upon which it can build. As part of the 3 year plan, the chairman is treating the monies he has personally put into the club as an interest-free loan, to be reviewed after 3 years. Dr Robertson concedes that there could be a perception that any potential investor in the club might feel that their contributions are simply going to pay back those Directors that have put money into the club, and that this can act as a deterrent to new people coming into the club. By treating those monies as an interest-free loan, it means that investment into the club can act immediately to the benefit of the club, and only at some point in the future, when the club is in a sufficiently strong financial position, would it make any repayments against those loans.

With the club working to move back to Runcorn, it hopes that the local people can get behind their senior team, and support their financial initiatives to set it on its way to self sustainability. The first initiative within this 3 year plan, is to sign up as many people as possible to the I-Syndicate lottery syndicate which the club believes provides real benefits to members who enjoy a 702% increased chance of winning a lottery payout, as well as providing funding for the club.

The club, in addition to completing the rest of the season, has to ensure that it has a credible business plan for next season in order to guarantee participation in the UniBond league next season. Whilst it is hoped that the costs to complete this season will be kept to a minimum, it’s inevitable that some extra funding will be necessary where the gate receipts alone are insufficient to cover those costs. If any companies or individuals are in a position to help by sponsoring the team coach, or by providing team or player sponsorship, then the club would be more than happy to hear from them.