Fixtures for the inaugral Conference North campaign have been postponed until next Monday at the earliest. It was thought that fixtures would be released today (Thursday), along with the Premiership, Football League and Nationwide Conference National fixtures, however they have been delayed.

As soon as we receive the fixtures, we will publish the first couple of fixtures on the site, along with our Christmas games and our league run in, with full fixtures appearing on the site shortly after.

Runcorn have announced more friendlies to take place ahead of the Conference North campaign that kicks off on August 14th.

We will be away at Welsh Premier League Caernavon Town for our first friendly on Saturday July 17th (2.30pm) before travelling to West Cheshire League Heswall on Tuesday 20th July (7.30pm).

No fixture is yet arranged for Saturday 24th, but we will have our first home friendly on Tuesday 27th July when we entertain Conference National side Northwich Victoria (7.30pm). Two days later and we will be playing West Cheshire League Mond Rangers away (7.00pm).

On Saturday 31st July, we will be away at Mid-Cheshire League outfit Barnton (3.00pm), before travelling to Rhyl for our final friendly on 7th August (2.30pm).

Runcorn FC Halton have made their second big signing in a week, with Lancaster City central defender John Robertson agreeing to join up with the Linnets ahead of next season.

The 6”3’ defender started his career at Wigan Athletic where he made over 160 football league appearances, before moving to Lincoln City. After three years, John moved back to the North West by joining Northwich Victoria, where he became a firm fans favourite, winning their Player of the Year award in 2000.

John continued playing Conference football with spells at Southport and Leigh RMI, before deciding to join up with former manager Phil Wilson at Lancaster City at the start of last season.

Chris Lightfoot, Runcorn FC Halton manager, was delighted to capture Robertson, saying, “John is another great signing for the club. He has plenty of experience having played in the Football League for a couple of clubs.

“He also has good knowledge of the non-league game having played for a few teams in the Conference as well as Lancaster last season. He is a giant of a lad and is something that we were missing in defence last season when we conceded a lot of goals from set-pieces.”

Runcorn have lined up a friendly against Welsh Premier League Champions Rhyl for Saturday 7th August. The Lilywhites should prove difficult opponents, having also won last seasons' Welsh FA Cup, Welsh League Cup, and the North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup as well as the title.

The game will take place at the Belle Vue Stadium, Rhyl, and will be the Linnets last pre-season friendly before the Conference North season kicks off on Saturday 14th August.

Runcorn FC Halton can today announce the capture of experienced right-sided midfielder Kieron Durkan who played Second Division football for Swansea City last season.

30-year old Durkan, who grew up in Runcorn, started his career as a schoolboy at Wrexham where he won five caps for the Eire U21 team. He subsequently moved to Stockport and Macclesfield – helping both clubs to promotion – before joining former manager Brian Flynn at Swansea in early 2003.

He left Swansea by mutual consent in February 2004 and has been interesting Nationwide Conference National side Halifax Town since. However he has turned his back on the professional game by taking a job outside of football, opting instead to sign for his hometown team Runcorn FC Halton in the new Nationwide Conference North.

Manager Chris Lightfoot was delighted with the acquisition of the experienced midfielder. He said, “Kieron is a great signing for Runcorn FC Halton. He has moved to us direct from league football and chosen us over a number of teams in higher leagues.

“He is mainly a right winger but can play in a variety of positions, which will be a valuable asset over the season. Kieran is a Runcorn lad originally and so knows all about the club, and he cannot wait to start playing for us in August.”

The club completed the signing of Kieran on Monday afternoon, with the deal confirmed on Tuesday when International Clearance came through from the Football Association.