Having initially indicated that he would be with Runcorn Linnets next season, midfielder Kris Holt has decided to leave the club.

Kris will team up with an old pal from Atherton Collieries days Brad Cooke, who has just been appointed as manager of West Didsbury & Chorlton.

The move will see Kris play in the Hallmark Security League Division One South as West look to bounce back from relegation at the end of last season.

Runcorn Linnets manager Michael Ellison said: "It goes without saying that we are disappointed to lose Holty. Over the past couple of seasons, he's established himself as a top EVO-STIK player and has been an integral part of the squad in our promotion-winning season.

"I have to say I'm really surprised he's decided to ply his trade in the NWC First Division but ultimately, it's his decision and these things happen in football.

"He's very good mates with Brad and we wish them all the best in their new challenge."

One of the unsung heroes at Runcorn Linnets is pledging allegiance to the club for the upcoming campaign.

Ronnie McCarthy returned for a second spell with Linnets last summer - as one of those unassuming characters, who just goes about his work without any fuss but in a highly-efficient and effective manner.

Testimony to the central midfielder is that many of the team's better displays came with Ronnie in the side and on the occasions he for any reason missed out, the blend didn't look quite right.

A 2018-19 season which saw the player all too briefly link up with brother Connor (before the striker stepped back up to the EVO-STIK Leagur Premier Division with Warrington Town) saw Ronnie largely consolidate his comeback to the game after serious injury, despite taking some more knocks.

With a full pre-season behind him, Ronnie can expect to go into the Linnets' second season as a Step 4 club all the stronger and that should in turn help galvanise the team's efforts to make up for narrowly missing a play-off spot last time around.

Linnets manager Michael Ellison said: "Ronnie was another of those who have been really unlucky with injuries over the course of the season. It stopped  him really putting a run of games together. There was a period early on in the season when he was injury free when he was our best player. Some of our best performances were when he was in the side. I'm certain with a good pre-season behind him, he will be a massive player for us this coming season.

"I'm obviously delighted he's committed for another year."

Paul Shanley has committed to a fourth season as a Runcorn Linnets player - news which will be greeted with great delight by the club's supporters.

The winger has been a leading light of Michael Ellison's successful stint as manager, stamping his mark on Runcorn's sttong form over each of Ello's three campaigns in charge so far.

Shanners' attacking prowess out wide on the left is undoubted but equally important are his diligence in tracking back and the threat he poses as both provider and finisher.

The popular player completed a century of Linnets' appearances during the course of last season while also taking on added responsibility with the club captaincy in the long-term absence through injury of Kyle Hamid.

Shanners' performances were affected by injuries of his own in the final part of the campaign. However, his efforts never dipped.

Boss Ellison knows only too well the key influence the player has at The Millbank.

The manager said: "I'm delighted that Shanners has committed to another season. He's been an integral part of what we've done over the past three years.

"The fact that he played the second half of last season with an injury I think shows you the type of lad he his and how commmited he is to the cause.

"I know he's chomping at the bit to start the season fresh and I'm sure we will get to see the best of him."

Kris Holt is one of those players who just keeps on going in every game - and by agreeing a further extension to his Runcorn Linnets career, he is again showing unquestionable staying power.

It was a trait he needed in abundance late in a very demanding last season when, in the middle of a busy run of fixtures, he took time out to run the Greater Manchester Marathon.

Holty required all his energies to get round the 26.219-mile course, raising valuable funds for the Greater Manchester Foundation Trust charity in the process.

He'd played a full game the day before the run, turning in a typically hard-working shift, and followed up the next weekend by completing all but 10 minutes of the 90.

It was a very special effort, even by Holty's own standards, coming as it did at a time when the rigours of the campaign were catching up with even the fittest.

Kris is another Linnet who sacrificed himself in the team cause during an injury-hit run-in by taking on a change of position.

As injured team mates now prepare to come back for the forthcoming season, he will relish the prospect of being released from the defensive shackles of emergency duties as a holding midfielder and taking up his more customary role in support of the attacking players.

Holty is just two games short of a century of competitive Linnets appearances and once he has reached the landmark, fans will be firmly hoping there are many more appearances to come.

"What can I say about Holty? He's a huge part of what we do here both on and off the pitch," said manager Michael Ellison.

"He's played in a lot of different positions for us over the past three seasons and hasn't looked out of place in any of them.

"Once again, he's had a fantastic season and with all the injuries we've had stepped up and made that holding midfield position his own.

"I'm still not happy about him running marathons during the season though!!".

Local lad Ryan Gibson has homed in on a return to Runcorn Linnets for next season, having made a very good impression over his five months in the ranks so far.

The winger, who joined from local football, has pledged continuing allegiance to his own town club after making something of a flying start at The Millbank Linnets Stadium.

From the moment he took the field as a substitute in December's midweek Integro Cup win at EVO-STIK League Premier Division side Hyde United, the dashing winger has made light of what is a considerable step up from the Chester & Wirral League.

Scoring a last-gasp equaliser on home debut against Glossop North End the following Saturday, Ryan has more than justified Michael Ellison's decision to draft the in player from Helsby FC and swiftly give him a chance.

Ryan has the rare gift of being able to take on and beat opposing defenders at pace and he has firmly established himself as a fans' favourite in Linnets colours - despite not always playing in his preferred position.

Ryan has shown his versatility by turning out in central midfield as and when required.

April saw Ryan being rewarded with the club's final Bowland Brewery Player of the Month award of 2018-19 and manager Ellison is looking forward to seeing the player really kick on when it all starts again in August.

The Linnets boss said: "Ryan has been a great signing for us. He's made the step up in levels look easy and has made a massive improvement since joining us in December.

"He's what some people would call a flair player with his pace and his ability to go past people. But for me, it's his work rate and his selfless running off the ball for the team, which goes unnoticed a lot of the time, that sets him apart.

"I'm looking forward to working with him again next season."