Goalkeeper Richie Mottram has returned to his spirtual home by signing for Runcorn Linnets.

He will provide valuable back-up for the Linnets and suppport for teenage No1 Bayleigh Passant, who is on loan from Tranmere Rovers.

Richie rejoins his local club from Widnes, after serving both outfits in a number of spells.

He has played 101 times for us to date.

Linnets manager Michael Ellison said:

"Richie has come in initially to provide back up but he is looking to get back playing and I'm sure once he gets himself fit, he will be competition for Bayleigh.

"It's a great signing for us - he's a top 'keeper with a wealth of experience and someone Bayleigh can learn a lot from in training."

Richie has most recently been the scourge of the Linnets with his performances against us for our rivals from across the river.

However, he has always been hugely popular with Runcorn fans, who voted him Supporters Club Player of the Year in 2014-15.

In May 2013, he was Linnets' No1 in the team which lifted the North West Counties League Challenge Cup, defeating Formby 3-0 to bring home our first winners' trophy.

He had won the same tournament with Winsford United two years earlier, also being promoted from NWCL Division One with Barnton in 2016 and again with Widnes, as champions, in 2016-17.

Richie subsequently helped Widnes to secure their current Step 4 status as NWCL Premier runners-up to Linnets in 2017-18. He had begun that season at Northwich Vics, before returning to Widnes in September.

Although he will be playing  Northern Premier League football with us for the first time, Richie is a seasoned performer in the competition with more than 200 appearances to his credit.

He has also played in Conference North with Leigh RMI. His other clubs include Warrington Town, Congleton Town, Prescot Cables and Runcorn Town, where he made a dozen appearances in 2009-10.

Changes to the geographical split  in the BetVictor Northern Premier League at Step 4 means increased travelling distance to our away games in the new North West Division One this season.

This necessitates a number of coach trips for the team.

The Runcorn Linnets Football Supporters Group (RLFSG) have offered to organise travel on our behalf and at the same time offer seats on the players and officials' coach to supporters.

Seats will be allocated in the following order of preference:

1 Club players, management, staff  and officials

2 RLFSG members (membership is available)

3 Supporters

All club officials and fans will pay for their seats through a Travel Club to offset the cost of coach hire.

Prices have now been revised from those originally set to make travel more affordable.

At present, coach travel will be limited to trips to Yorkshire and The North East plus the two longest journeys on this side of the Pennines (to Kendal and Workington).

But there is scope to organise coach travel to cup-ties if required.

The departure times have been set to ensure that our players reach the opposition ground 90 minutes before kick off with a half hour stop off on the way.

There will obviously be a delay in making the return journey so players can get changed and partake in the post-match refreshments provided by the host club.

Information is available on the RLFCSG website and twitter feed (@RLFCSG).

There is an online booking form at  https://www.rlfcsg.co.uk/travel-club-booking-form

If anyone would like to book on the coach but doesn't wish to use the online booking form, you can direct message RLFCSG on twitter, email [email protected] or speak to one of the RLFCSG committee at any game (at home matches they can generally be found in the SoccerMillion Stand) and they will be only too happy to help and take the booking.

Prices and departure times are shown.

Please note that our visit to Ossett United has now been rearranged for Tuesday, October 1st and travel details will be updated in due course.

In the 15th minute Jamie Rainford put the Linnets ahead with a well-placed touch from just outside the 6 yard box as Mossley just watched. Simon Lennighan received a Yellow Card for Mossley AFC in the 39th minute. Adam Morgan received a Yellow Card for Mossley AFC in the 52nd minute. Mossley AFC equalised in the 60th minute. Mossley AFC put one past us in the 68th minute. In the 69th minute the Linnets substituted Harry Cannon-Noren for Ronnie McCarthy. In the 70th minute the Linnets substituted Jamie Rainford for Ryan Gibson. In the 74th minute Mossley AFC substituted Nicky Platts for Godwin Abadaki. In the 75th minute Mossley AFC substituted Nicky Platts for Ben Halfacre. In the 82nd minute Mossley AFC substituted Paul Marshall for Godwin Abadaki. In the 85th minute Mossley AFC substituted Adam Morgan for Max Leonard.

Changes to the Trust Board of Runcorn Linnets have seen the departures of two members and the co-option of a newcomer.

Vice chairnan Jon Urquhart and Reg Woods have both resigned, while our commercial manager Rob Findlay has been appointed by the board as an externally co-opted member.

Jon was in his second spell on the Trust Board and became deputy chairman in July of last year.

Reg Woods had been on the board throughout the club's time at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, which opened in 2010.

The club wishes to thank Jon and Reg for their contrubutions to Runcorn Linnets.

New board member Rob Findlay has had a great deal of success in attracting new sponsorship since joining the club in the spring and we look forward to him continuing his good work as part of the board.

Other changes behind the scenes have seen Trust Board member Paul Eastup and son, James Eastup take on the role of club secretary on a shared basis.

Everyone at Runcorn Linnets is deeply shocked and extremely saddened to hear that former Runcorn AFC assistant manager, Terry Murphy passed away earlier today.

Terry, who was 79, was trusted right hand man to John Williams when the former club won the Northern Premier League treble in 1980-81 season.

John and Terry were a formidable partnership, reviving the club's fortunes and by winning the NPL title (in addition to the League Challenge Cup and Shield) put Runcorn on the national non-league map.

A place in the Alliance Premier League was secured and when the title was won at the first attempt the following season, it was the pinnacle of the  original Linnets' achievement.

Terry had moved on by the time Wembley was reached for the first time in 1986 but had been an architect of one of the most successful periods in Runcorn's footballing history.

Terry was a true giant of Cheshire football who played for Witton Albion and Northwich Victoria in the 1960s, also representing Crewe Alexandra.

In management, he was involved with many of the senior non-league clubs in the Mid Cheshire area as well as Rhyl and Altrincham.

Always remaining a great ambasador for football, he in later years attended games at The Millbank Linnets Stadium and championed the work of 1874 Northwich in forming a fans-owned club in his home town.

Our deepest sympathies are extended to Terry's family and friends.

RIP Terry Murphy - a true gentleman and man of football.