Pitching In has been unveiled as the new sponsor of the Northern Premier League.

This is the name for a Grassroots Sports Investment Programme launched by GVC, the multi-national sports betting and gaming group - owner of Ladbrokes and Coral.

The partnership covers all three leagues that make up Steps 3 & 4 of the National Leagues System, who market themselves collectively as the Trident Leagues. The other leagues are the Isthmian and Southern.

England footballing legend Stuart Pearce has been appointed as the official Pitching In ambassador.

Pearce said: "I am delighted to be taking up the role of ambassador for Pitching In, as I'm passionate about the importance of investing in grassroots sports and in developing young talent. I started out playing for Wealdstone FC before joining Coventry City so I understand how important funding is to the non-league game.

"Grassroots football is facing huge challenges at the moment and many clubs are struggling to stay afloat. GVC's Pitching In investment will help make a big difference to hundreds of clubs and thousands of players across the country."

Pitching In has been set up with the objective of supporting, protecting and encouraging grassroots sports in the UK through a range of initiatives.

In addition to financial support, a key focus of the partnership will be to facilitate and encourage members of the community to become volunteers, and do some pitching in of their own.

A Pitching In volunteering scheme will be established to link GVC's Ladbrokes and Coral shop colleagues with their local clubs.

In the weeks ahead, Pitching In and the Trident Leagues will be announcing further initiatives to provide financial support and opportunities for all the 226 clubs within the three leagues (rising to 240 in 2021).

For more information on Pitching In, visit gvc-plc.com/corporate-responsibility/pitching-in/

Jack Hinnigan has become the eighth player from last season's squad to sign for new boss Calum McIntyre.

Jack went a long way to establishing himself at the Millbank Linnets Stadium in 2019-20 with some accomplished displays, after a cameo role the previous campaign.

The defender had made his debut in our Integro League Cup victory at Hyde United in December 2018, that being his only competitive start in 2018-19.

However, Jack was more prominent last time around - playing 19 times.

Jack is a left-sided centre half, who is good in the air and comfortable with the ball at his feet.

He joined Linnets after a spell with Warrington Town and has also played for Ashton Town in the North West Counties League.

It's great to see you back on board, Jack!

Former Preston North end starlet Joe Nolan has joined the ever-increasing band of exciting former English Football League players at Runcorn Linnets.

The midfielder had been at Preston since the age of nine and in December last year, fulfilled a childhood dream of scoring a goal at Deepdale when registering in the FA Youth Cup.

He volleyed in PNE's opener in their win over Bristol City Under 18s.

Joe appeared for the Linnets in Tuesday's 1-0 friendly defeat of Ashton United, immediately convincing manager Calum McIntyre that he is worth a place in the new season's squad at The Millbank.

In March 2020, Joe's potential was recognised with a coveted place in League Football Education's 'The 11'

This acknowledges the football and academic progress of Under-18 players on apprenticeships at current or former EFL clubs - and is also designed to assess other factors, including involvement in community or charity-based initiatives.

The 18-year-old had an impressive campaign in 2019-20, after struggling with injury throughout the first year of his scholarship.

Off the pitch, Joe was exceeding his target grades on the Extended Diploma, working at triple distinction level.

We welcome Joe to the club and wish him every success, hoping he enjoys his time with us.

Runcorn Linnets are very pleased to officially welcome Liverpool FC Academy graduate, Alex Turner into our squad ahead of tonight's friendly at home to NPL Premier Division side Ashton United.

Although technically a new face, the 19-year-old had featured in our previous three pre-season matches and is another to have quickly made the transition from Linnets trialist to signing.

Alex's ball-playing skills and ability to play anywhere across midfield make him a useful acquisition and he will certainly be another one to watch.

Having left LFC at the end of 2019-20, Ormskirk-born Alex is the second young player to be introduced to Linnets fans in the space of four days.

Last Saturday saw Adam Barthram play for the first time under his own name, having likewise been on pre-season trial.

Adam is a left back who loves to get forward. This is a first venture into senior football for the former Salford City youth team scholar.

We are delighted to have them both in the Runcorn ranks!

Manager Calum McIntyre has continued his player recruitment ahead of tomorrow's first home friendly against Vauxhall Motors.

The new gaffer has drafted in two of his young proteges on loan from Chester FC, where both are on professional forms.

One of them needs no introduction to Runcorn supporters. Midfielder Louis Hayes was with us last season and has already renewed acquaintance with those who were likewise in our 2019-20 squad, at pre-season training and in warm-up matches.

Joining Louis at The Millbank this time around is striker Stuart Crilly.

Stuart has played for Chester in the Cheshire Senior Cup and spent time on loan last season at Prescot Cables in the NPL and NWCL Premier Division outfit Rylands (now Warrington Rylands 1906).

Hailing from Liverpool, Stuart is a versatile midfielder with a keen eye for goal – having joined Chester from Oldham in March 2017.

Halewood lad Louis gave a very good account of himself at Linnets last term, showing great energy, physicality and maturity.

He has also already featured in Chester's first team, having signed for the city club from Blackburn Rovers in May 2017.

For those fans, who have been avidly following our opening two friendlies via Linnets Live Radio, Louis Hayes has hitherto this summer been known as Trialist C and Stuart Crilly as Trialist F.

Both signed first senior deals at their parent club last year, being promoted from the Academy side managed by our now boss Calum.

They have been quick to make an impact since the resumption of football this month and we now look forward to seeing them prosper in the Yellow and Green.

Welcome, Stuart and welcome back, Louis!