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The EVO-STIK League Division One West Runcorn Linnets Vs Newcastle Town Saturday 24th November 2018 3pm Match Sponsor In Memory of Simon Charlesworth
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Club Information
Stadium Millbank Linnets Stadium Stockham Lane Runcorn Cheshire WA7 6GJ
Telephone (Clubline) 08454860705 (Fax) 07050801734
Runcorn Linnets FC is a Registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (Company Number IP29719R) . The club is a “Trust” - an Industrial and Provident Society, and is registered with the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). The Trust was originally set up as “The Linnets Independent Supporters Trust”, or “LIST” for short, and was a Supporters Trust in aid of Runcorn AFC, known as Runcorn FC Halton at the time. In April 2006, when the fans decided to take the destiny of Runcorn FC into their own hands and set up Runcorn Linnets FC as a reformed Runcorn AFC, the nature of the Trust changed to one capable of running a football club. Becoming a Trust member gives you the ability to take part in the democratic running of the club. You will be able vote members on and off the board, participate in the decision making process, etc, and this is done on a purely one person, one vote basis. Regardless of the financial commitments that may have been made to the club by any individual, their vote is only as powerful as any other regular Trust member. If you would like to join the Trust, then you can download an application form at our website. If you prefer, you can pay your membership fee using Paypal, using the payment page, or alternatively have a chat with any of the club officials on matchday. Chairman: Mike Bignall• Vice Chairman: Jon Urquhart * Secretary: Tracy Measor • Treasurer: Phil Wainwright* Commercial & Community: Paul Eastup • Hedley Edwards • John Pickering • Mike Bignall • James Sidwell * Josh Christian Junior Representatives: Ciaran Clotworthy • Stu Graham • Fundraising: Alan Brown Tracy Measor • Wendy Brown Paul Tandy Media Officer: Steven Pritchard•
Social Media & Club Photographer: James Eastup
Honorary President: Alan Jones
Programme Editor: Ellis Clarke
Honorary Life Vice Presidents: Stuart White (2010) Derek Greenwood (2017) Lynn Johnston (2017) Robert Johnston (2017) Steven Pritchard (2010)
Operational: Reg Woods • Pitch Maintenance: Jeff Jago James Charlton* Andy Clifton Caleb Goodwin Jim Roberts Chris White
• Elected Member of the Trust Board * Co-Opted Member of the Trust Board
Trust Secretary: David Bettley Manager: Michael Ellison Asst Manager: Matt Cross Coaches: Danny Salt & Chris Lawton
www.RuncornLinnetsFC.co.uk www.RuncornLinnetsJFC.co.uk RUNCORN REVIEW © 2018-19 RUNCORN LINNETS FC Written by Ellis Clarke and Dave Bettley Photographs © 2017-18 James Eastup Unless otherwise indicated
Michael Ellison Interviewed by Dave Bettley It was good to get back on the winning trail with the victory over Clitheroe in the league. But Saturday’s victory wasn’t quite as straight forward as promised at halftime? It really was after the disappointing display at Market Drayton. It was important to put in a performance and get back to winning ways but we could have made it a lot easier for ourselves. That goal conceded early in the second half put the game back in the balance but despite the tension it caused, Clitheroe very rarely earned another clear sight of goal. It was really disappointing to concede so early in the second half. The lad took his goal really well to be fair but, from our point of view, it was a poor goal to concede. After that, I thought we defended really well. I think that was the only shot they had on target in the second half.
Then, a second penalty in as many matches from Kurt when there was quite a bit of doubt as to whether their ‘keeper had committed the offending foul outside the box? It’s was well inside the box. It was on my side of the pitch and the offence clearly happened in the box. The fact that Connor ended up a couple of yards outside is the reason some may have doubted it. But I have to give the ref credit for making the right call.
Matt Holmes came in for his first league appearance of the campaign between the sticks - I assume Dylan had been unavailable? Dylan was actually away on holiday so Matt came in and had a really solid game I thought. We’re really lucky to have two top ‘keepers at the club.
Although Danny O’Brien had not been on the field when either penalty was awarded. It was a bit of a surprise when Kurt stepped up to take the one at Market Drayton the previous Saturday as Louis has had a good record from the spot? I think he fancied it and stepped up. The important thing is that he tucked it away so there weren’t any issues.
We’d gone in at half-time two goals to the good after a fine headed finish from Paul Shanley, which highlighted another effective individual effort from Shanners? It was a great finish to be fair. The pleasing thing was that he got himself in the box when the ball was on the opposite side of the pitch. A great ball in from Simmo and he got himself on the end of it.
There’s no disputing, however, the confidence and style with which Kurt converted each time? He’s a confident lad to be fair and he put both away convincingly. We could arguably have been one or two more goals better off at half-time. Clitheroe then hit us with a well-taken reply, although as you said earlier the scorer shouldn’t have been allowed to make such progress through the middle?
You’re right. We allowed him to turn and backed off him and then when he got in the box, we couldn’t touch him. It was poor defending but the lad did put it away really well, I have to say. That said, it was a rare blemish defensively from us. I though after being one of the few to emerge from the Market Drayton game with any real credit, Aaron Morris again showed up well - making a particularly timely intervention to deal with a cross just in front of the goalline to prevent an equaliser. I thought he was outstanding again as he is every week. He’s having a real good season. Transfer activity in the lead up to the game saw Liam Morris and Jack Hinnigan come into the ranks and Liam got quick chance to introduce hinself as a second-half sub. Were these opportunist signings or players you have known about and been looking at bringing in for a while? I spoke with Liam in the summer, when he was released from Bolton but we never managed to get him down and after he played for REMYCA and impressed in our friendly against Abbey Hey, I was delighted to get him signed on. Jack was a bit different I knew a little bit about him and, after the injury to Josh, we needed reinforcements at the back. Adam Gilchrist and Declan Gallagher had reappeared in our colours for the midweek friendly at Abbey Hey but were back with their NWCL club, Ashton Athletic last Saturday. Is that an arrangement you see continuing, certainly in the short time? Yes, both of them are playing at the minute. That will do both of them the world of good and we have the option of calling on them when needed.
Kyle Hamid is operating in a deeper position since we won promotion and the responsible and unselfish nature of the captain’s recent work is clear to see? Yes, we’ve dropped Mucker a little deeper and he’s been brilliant for us there. He’s one of those players, who you can play anywhere. But I do feel the new position has really suited him and he’s made the position his own of late. We followed up last weekend’s match with a visit to Leek Town in the Integro Cup. What did you make of the performance and result? I thought it was a fantastic performance against a really good Leek side. The game was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests; we had to work really hard for the victory, given the fact that we had a ‘keeper on the bench and only one fit substitute and also had to draft Stu Wellstead in only a couple of hours before the game. It is testimony to the lads’ performance. This afternoon, we return to the bread and butter of league action with today’s game against Newcastle Town. Any pointers from what you know about them as to the type of match we can expect? We’ve had them watched and we’re expecting a really tough game. We will have to be at our very best to get the result we want. Let’s hope for a good game and that the lads can maintain our early-season challenge at the top end of the table with a big performance today! Cheers, Dave.
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Our Visitors Newcastle Town
Newcastle Town FC emerged in its current format from a merger with Parkway Clayton in 1986 and are now enjoying life in Evostik League Football. Their recently renamed Aspire Stadium in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire has a capacity of 4,000, covered accommodation for 1000, seating for 300, a tidy well equipped clubhouse which offers amongst other beverages quality cask conditioned ale, and a £60,000 floodlighting system. The playing surface is surrounded by one of the few recognised cycling tracks in the north of the country which hosts many competitions and has been used by the Great British Cycling Team in the recent past. In the season immediately after the merger with Parkway Clayton Newcastle Town enjoyed much success ending runners up in the Mid Cheshire League and moving into the North West Counties League as a limited company in 1987. After promotion from Division Two in the early 1990’s the club enjoyed a lot of success in Division One winning the Tennants Floodlit Trophy, the Walsall Senior Cup and the NWCL Floodlit Trophy although constantly just missing out on promotion at the death. In the 96/97 season the club enjoyed a tremendous run in the FA Cup defeating Winsford United, Frickley and Bamber Town from the Unibond League on their way to the first round proper where they narrowly lost to Notts County, the oldest league club in the world, at what was to be one of the last cup ties at Stoke City’s famous Victoria Ground. Following the turn of the century promotion continued to escape the clutches of
Newcastle Town although playing extremely entertaining football under the likes of managers Ray Walker before his move to Crewe Alexandria and Nigel Gleghorn formerly with Stoke City. In the season 2006/07 Towns form fell away after a very promising start and management duo Greg Clowes and Dorian Garner took over the reins after a successful period with Unibond side Alsager Town. Results picked up and new players arrived with Castle only losing 4 of their last 18 games in the new duos first season in charge. Paul Ratcliffe also took over as Chairman of the club at this time. The next couple of years saw the management continue to build a side that would challenge for promotion although both proved disappointing with Castle again narrowly missing out mainly due to key players injuries. Despite the disappointment of no promotion Newcastle players Simon Eldershaw (Player of the Month) Jon Ritchie (Safe Hands) and Richard Minor (Division1 Player of the Season) brought success with their awards. Finally in Season 2009/10 Newcastle Town achieved their dream of promotion. They led the Vodkat League from day 1 and by the time they dropped their first points having won the first 28 games, the title was almost secure.
Best start, most League wins in a season and most points were three of the records that the club broke. They also lifted the Staffs Senior Cup for the first time with an amazing 6-1 victory over Port Vale at Vale Park. Hardly had the team’s success sunk in when Newcastle Town were rocked in the close season with both Manager Greg Clowes and Assistant Dorian Garner leaving for Stafford Rangers taking the whole squad with them. Undaunted the club followed current policy and appointed from within with John Diskin, Dave Sutton and Ivan Lodge being promoted from their respective roles with both the second Team and the Youth Team. Their brief was to rebuild a First Team squad capable of confirming their position within the Evostik First Division. Currently Castle seem to have achieved their goal sitting mid table with notable results against teams challenging for promotion this season as well as winning performances in competitions against teams from higher divisions. Castle ended the 2011-12 season in a respectable position but with higher hopes as there was a great deal of success from the younger players coming through at the club. Town continued to build for the future in 2012-13 in a season which saw an influx of their successful Youth Team into the First Team Squad as the season progressed. Season 2013-14 saw Castle’s young side improve throughout the season and finish a very respectable eighth in the League. With the Young Reserve side reaching the final of the Leek Cup and the Youth Team winning the County Youth Floodlit Cup Newcastle will be looking to push on and continue their development.
Further improvement came in 2014-15 with Castle reaching the play-offs where they were defeated by Sutton Coldfield Town who were promoted to the Premier Division. Town’s policy of developing youngsters looks to be paying dividends as more trophies were forthcoming. Newcastle also won awards for Fair Play and their lack of dissent as they build a reputation of playing the game in the right manner with good football. The season saw Town struggle with injuries culminating with Manager Ivan Lodge suffering a stroke. Ivan decided to step down to concentrate on his recovery and at the end of the season his brother-in-law and former Norton and Witton Manager Scott Dundas was appointed with assistant Steve Chadwick to the role to take the Club forward. Castle had a strong season being in contention throughout for a play-off position but narrowly missed out on the last day of the season. Shortly afterwards Town were again searching for a manager after the surprise resignation of Scott Dundas. Scott was replaced by Bob Askey but after a promising start with the club in a challenging position things went downwards and as Castle dropped down the table Bob was replaced by Robin Van Der Laan and Dave Dale. Things did not improve and Town saved themselves from relegation winning their final game at home to Belper Town. Changes came in the close season with former Chairman Paul Ratcliffe returning and the Club looking to improve on last season. New sponsors Red Industries have returned to the club and with the young players coming through Castle look
Newcastle Town Player Pen Pics Matt JOHNSON : (GOALKEEPER) Highly rated young keeper signed in the close season from Eccleshall where he won the Goalkeeper of the Month on two occasions. Big commanding keeper of whom much is expected and looks to have a good future in the game. Sam BRADBURY: (DEFENDER) Has great energy and gets forward well with good delivery into the box. Now in his second spell at Newcastle having signed from Leek Town at the start of last season. Luke DENNIS : (DEFENDER) Young defender who was on loan from Port Vale last season. Deceptively quick and good both in the air and on the deck. Already made a big impression in the games as his confidence grows. Castle immediately snapped him up on a contract on his release from Port Vale. Kyle STUBBS (DEFENDER) Big strong defender now in his second spell with the club. Previous clubs include Port Vale, Kidsgrove Athletic and Alsager Town. Equally at home in the centre or at full-back. Lewis GROCOTT (DEFENDER/MIDFIELD) Another product of Town’s Youth policy. Will be trying to seal a place in the first team this season. A left sided player who loves to get forward and has an eye for goal. James STEELE (DEFENDER/MIDFIELD) Young player signed in the close season from Port Vale. Equally at home as a full back or midfield. Very quick and good going forward. Ben FRASER (DEFENDER/MIDFIELD) A player who joined in the close season and has already impressed. Equally at home in defence or midfield Ben is another player who looks to have a bright future. Josh GLOVER (MIDFIELD) Big, strong midfield player signed in the close season following a spell at Alsager Town. Can play further forward and has an eye for goal. Will be an influential figure for the team. Matt LOWE: (MIDFIELD) Experienced midfielder who returned to the club last season after time out. Club captain and will be a big influence on the younger players. Can also play full back or as a central defender.. Was a member of the team who reached the play-offs. Jack VAN DER LAAN : (MIDFIELD) One of Town’s newer generation who has already made his First Team debut. A hard working
midfielder who can pull the strings. Son of former Derby player Robin Van Der Laan so comes from a good pedigree. Matt WARD (MIDFIELD) Signed in the close season from Port Vale. Matt is a hard working midfielder who has made a good early impression. A player who makes things happen. Taylor ATTRELL (MIDFIELD) Signed in the close season from Alsager Town. A hard working player who has a real eye for goal scoring plenty from midfield. Looks to have a bright future. Connor LEEK (MIDFIELD) Another player who has joined in the close season. Connor plays on the left and is equally at home all down the left side. Previously with Chasetown and Barwell. Jonny KAPEND : (FORWARD) Equally at home wide or down the middle. Signed from Alsager Town and now in his second season. Started at Port Vale and other clubs include Stafford Rangers and Kidsgrove Athletic. George SHAW : (FORWARD) Young forward who has made a big impression in the Senior League last season forcing himself in contention for a First Team slot. Has an eye for goal as shown with his goal scoring record in the Senior League last season and good on the ball. Good movement makes him hard to mark Rod ORLANDO-YOUNG : (FORWARD) Signed just before the transfer deadline from Sheffield. Scored on debut v Alvechurch. A very quick wide player who is a real handful for defenders. Previous clubs include Norwich City and Shaw Lane. Mike CONLON : (FORWARD) Recent signing from Hanley Town Mike is a tricky forwaed who is equally at home in the middle or out wide. Formerly with Port Vale. Will looking to make a big impression. Chris SMITH : (FORWARD) Recent signing from Barnton FC. Chris was captain and a prolific scorer at Barnton before stepping up to join Town. Already making a big impression. Travis CAPEY : (MIDFIELD) Another of Town’s youngsters who has come through the Youth Section and Reserves to break into the First Team squad. Hard working and good on the ball Travis is capable of the spectacular.
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Runcorn Linnets 2 Clitheroe 1 Saturday 17th November 2018 3pm The EVO-STIK League Division One West Match Sponsor Once a Linnet
A terrific crowd of 399 took in the Autumn sunshine at the Millbank Linnets Stadium on Saturday to witness the Linnets secure another three very hard-fought EVO-STIK League Division One West points. Our guests for the day were Clitheroe, the Lancashire-based outfit making their first ever visit. A notable change to the Linnets starting eleven was Matt Holmes replacing Dylan Forth between the sticks. Ronnie McCarthy also returned after a lengthy injury lay-off. With Freddie Potter serving his final game of a three-match suspension, Kurt Sherlock and Connor McCarthy led the line once again. Paul Shanley was influential right from the off, getting the ball down and running directly at Clitheroe. One such move brought about a very early booking for our visitors, when Shanley was brought down via a very heavy tackle on the left wing.
With 18 minutes played, the Linnets almost gifted Clitheroe the opening goal. Firstly, we were almost caught short when trying to play out from the back but managed to force the ball back to Matty Holmes, whose attempted clearance went straight to a Clitheroe player 10 yards from goal. However, Louis Corrigan had foreseen the danger and came across to block the effort on goal.
On 22 minutes, Runcorn took the lead with a goal out of nowhere! Things seemed relatively harmless when Mike Simpson had the ball on the right wing with defenders all around him. Simmo dug out a cross that seemed to bamboozle the Clitheroe players inside the penalty box; they allowed the ball to bounce and find its way to Paul Shanley, who headed the ball sublimely over the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper and in to the top corner. A great headed goal by Shanners! Not long after taking the lead, Kris Holt had a good chance to double it after being set up well by Shanley. But Holty dragged his shot wide from the edge of the 18-yard box. Michael Ellison’s players were pushing hard for another goal and came agonisingly close on 39 minutes. Defender Peter Wylie, still looking for his first goal in Runcorn colours, lost his marker in the penalty area and got a solid head to Corrigan’s in-swinging corner - only to see it slam off the post before being scrambled clear by a Clitheroe player on the goal line. But on the stroke of half time, the Linnets did score the second goal that their first-half display deserved. Kyle Hamid sent Connor McCarthy chasing a ball into the penalty area and with the goalkeeper committing himself to make a challenge, Connor took the ball past the ‘keeper and was brought down. There was no debating that this was indeed a clear foul, but there was plenty of debating about where the foul had taken place as it was right on the side edge of the penalty area. It was a decision that probably could have gone either way, and, on the day, it went in our favour. It possibly wasn’t the worst thing for Clitheroe as if it was adjudged to have been outside the area, it was likely that the goalkeeper would have received a straight red card. Kurt Sherlock stepped forward and tucked the penalty low into the bottom right corner. Runcorn had played well in the first half
and aside from a defensive lapse early on had not looked threatened. But just a single minute into the second half, Clitheroe pulled themselves right back into the game with a superb solo goal. Picking up the ball in midfield, substitute Harry Cannon-Noren ran straight at the heart of the Linnets defence, beating several players on his way into the penalty area before firing low past Matty Holmes to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Kurt Sherlock had been replaced at half-time by Zac Aley, and on 56 minutes Ello was forced to make another substitution. Kris Holt had to leave the pitch after succumbing to a series of heavy challenges, newly-signed Liam Morris coming on for his Linnets debut. Clitheroe would have the better of the second half, moving the ball around with more purpose but not really creating much of a goal threat. The Linnets looked most vulnerable to their own mistakes, making too many unnecessary errors at the back and almost putting themselves in big trouble with a misplaced pass on several occasions. With seven minutes remaining, Connor McCarthy had the chance to secure the points for the Linnets. Latching on to a clearance upfield, McCarthy found himself through on goal with just the ‘keeper to beat, but his opponent stood firm and threw out a trailing leg to flick Connor’s effort around the far post from close range. It’s easy to say Connor should have scored, but it was a very good piece of goalkeeping that denied him. Clitheroe started to get frustrated as the
Linnets wore the clock down with the ball near the corner flags and with four additional minutes to navigate, it was all hands on deck to try to see another victory through - a feat that was achieved with minimal fuss in the end. This was yet another very tight league fixture that really could have gone either way. Luckily, the Linnets took enough of their chances when they came and managed to prevent Clitheroe from creating many of their own. Over the 90 minutes, there was little else to separate the two sides. Victories just don’t come easily at this level; you have to work to the bone for every single point and our lads are doing the business for us in that sense. They aren’t afraid of hard work! We have a couple of games to look forward to this week - firstly, an away visit to Leek Town on Tuesday night in the Integro League Cup second round, followed by another welcome home fixture on Saturday against one of our old NWCL counterparts, Newcastle Town (ko 3pm). Runcorn Linnets: Matt Holmes, Louis Corrigan, Aaron Morris, Peter Wylie, Michael Simpson, Ronnie McCarthy, Kristian Holt, Kyle Hamid (c), Connor McCarthy, Paul Shanley, Kurt Sherlock. Subs: Zac Aley, Liam Morris. Not used: Danny O’Brien, Niall Watson, Jack Hinnigan. Attendance: 399.
Report Ste Bignall Pictures E23 Photos (James Eastup)
Dave Bergin on Linnets Past, Present and Future DAVE BERGIN is FC United of Manchester’s programme editor but also a Runcorn fan who has followed the Linnets’ fortunes since his early teens. Here, he tells of his time supporting the club, former and current, and tells of his hopes for the future. Do you remember your first Runcorn game? If not, tell us about the first game you recall attending... I’m sure it was in a replayed FA Trophy match against Northwich Victoria halfway through the 1994-95 season when I was 13. I remember that, as a kid living in the old town, I read in the local ‘paper that the club would be returning to Runcorn following the old main stand falling victim to a fire and a spell playing at Witton. One midweek, early evening, and with my matchgoing intrigue growing as a youngster (after years of being taken to Manchester United by my dad whilst having a season ticket at Old Trafford), I
to the excitement, we got down to the ground early and once more found ourselves on the pitch - just in time to see the referee call the game off, under the observation of the Linnets manager and some disgruntled staff, due to a small area of standing water. A ridiculous decision. I was gutted but, after an afternoon in front of Grandstand, I just had to do that first game back. So I ventured down once more a few days later for my first game, which due to the postponement now had that added mystique of being played under lights. I remember Runcorn winning a thrilling match 2-1, though sadly I can’t remember the goalscorers. It was a great first game, though, and introduction and I was gripped. First away match watching watching Runcorn? It would have been at Moss Lane against Altrincham in the Conference, either in my first or second season watching Runcorn in the mid 90s. Along with a mate from school, we got a child’s Arriva day ticket and travelled on the bus from Runcorn to Warrington, then on to Alty and back again, telling our parents that we were off cycling round Runcorn for the afternoon whilst embarking on what we thought was the greatest of adventures watching Runcorn on the road. Altrincham won a close game 3-2 and as we were accustomed to running on to the pitch at the end of home games, despite our disappointment at the result, we hopped over the fence at the away end and onto the pitch in the hope of getting the players’ tie-ups, but ended up getting chased off by a very angry steward!
cycled down to the ground for the first time with a friend to investigate Canal Street, and the closest team to my house in Dukesfield at the time. I remember the excitement as we approached the ground and the floodlights were on. We mooched around to where the old training pitch used to be and a gate was open so we ventured inside to be greeted by a couple of fellas doing some late work to the pitch. They invited us on to the field and told about the club and next home match, probably never expecting to see us again. But I promised myself I’d be there. So it was off to Canal Street once more on the Saturday when, again due
Favourite ever player? Karl Thomas. At the time, I just remember him being such a solid and classy midfielder with one of the fiercest shots I’d ever seen. He reminded me of Mark Hughes the way he struck a ball from anywhere. I also liked the ‘keeper at the time, Mark Morris, who was the only Runcorn player I knew about before I started watching the team. He was on a video I had of Manchester United’s run to the European Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1991, playing for Wrexham.
I’d get into the ground early and watch Thomas firing these pre-match bullets at Morris, who’d be diving round like a mad man. Players after that would include Joey Dunn, Liam Watson, Richard Irving (because he was the first player I recall seeing appear in both an MUFC and a Runcorn shirt after watching him in United’s youth team), then all of last season’s promotionwinning side for finally helping the club reach this level. The current team would also be added if a repeat promotion could be achieved this time around. Current player? I like how Connor McCarthy represents the old-fashioned forwards I remember from watching the game as a youngster, whilst I think Dylan Forth is one of the best ‘keepers in the league and a great foundation for the side, building instant confidence from the back. But we’re blessed with so many good players at Runcorn this season, so it’s difficult to call a favourite.
Favourite Runcorn shirt? The current home top is probably the best since the club’s reformation, though I still love the ICI home and away kits from when I first went in 1994-95, made by Front Runner. The best I own, and possibly the greatest design, is a classic shirt worn as a one-off for the FA Trophy final in 1986. It looks like some French top from the era, but with a Stones Bitter sponsor. That always receives some admiring glances when it gets worn occasionally. Best goal you’ve seen from a Runcorn player? That would have to be one scored this season and anybody who was there will probably agree that Freddie Potter’s remarkable overhead kick at Mossley was the most spectacular goal you are likely to see in the flesh, especially with most Linnets fans in the ground being close to the action when the ball was floated in from the wing - everybody holding their breath and collectively willing it into the back of the net. The celebrations on the pitch and terraces after were almost as impressive! Just a shame there was no camera footage because it certainy deserved to be seen by more than the lucky few hundred in attendance. Fondest memories, A, of watching the old club and B, watching the new club? To be honest, because I only really caught the latter years of the old club and wasn’t fortunate enough to see the club enjoy much success, or even watch them play at Wembley when regulars in the ’90s, just before I started going to games, there was only really one standout moment and that was the President’s Cup success in 1998. The first and only time I saw the old club lift any silverware. Since the reformation, promotion in the first season was a great achievement yet because the team finished second, it was the League Cup success against Formby at Curzon in 2013. To see The Yellows
lift their first piece of silverware after so many traumatic years, and the first since that previouslymentioned President’s Cup victory, really was a proud moment. And, of course, beating Squires Gate last year to finally be crowned champions of the North West Counties League, the scenes towards and at the end of that match, and the celebrations thereafter against Town on a glorious Bank Holiday Monday
will live long in the memory. Hopefully there will be more to follow in the not too distant future because the future can be very bright for this club if things continue to be done in the right way. It’s an exciting time to follow Runcorn. And lowest moments. Again, whilst watching both the old and new clubs? It still hurts thinking about leaving the club’s ground since formation at Canal Street, and then witnessing and painful the demise of Runcorn AFC as it lived its final days with a nomadic existence that saw the end-of-season presentation take place on a pool table in Southport’s social club. So thinking of those times, and seeing how positive the future now looks after the last few years and the progress made since reforming, it’s hard to really complain now about the many near misses getting to this level because they probably only helped make last season’s efforts even more memorable. Though it did start to get a bit daft/ frustrating!
When you think back to the old ground at Canal Street, what do you remember? So many special and thankfully still vivid memories. The sloping pitch, the old tunnel and tea hut incorporated into the ‘Ground Control’ area that always had me singing David Bowie songs to myself. The numerous familiar faces, many of whom are still watching Runcorn today, whilst many more who we have sadly lost along the way. I remember as a child when my dad’s Charlton Athletic and Barnet-supporting mate learnt I was from Runcorn replied “That’s the worst place in the world to go as an away fan”, and feeling quite proud! I remember scaling the walls after the ground was sold and spending an afternoon, just me and a mate, having a kickabout and numerous penalty shootouts, knees bleeding as I walked away for a final time having bagged a top-corner winner in a 7-6 shootout success, knowing I’d never see the old girl again nor grace the terraces and pitch again. I recall the sectioned off areas, the stilled, charred areas next to the new seats; looking out over the Manchester Ship Canal, and regular battles in the Conference. I remember thinking it’s an ugly old place but I saw the beauty - it was ours and it had been for generations, and there was really no place like it. I still have such fond memories of going down to Canal Street, despite only catching the latter years of its life. Now looking to the future, where do you see Runcorn Linnets in five years? On the pitch, hopefully in the National North or, if not, definitely at the next level and being a regular amongst the play-off positions. I really hope the club can fulfill its true potential in the next few years, whilst off the pitch also embracing the youth section that is attached to the club, along with the local community, and hopefully nurturing support for generations to come. Also, I’d like to see the ground slowly develop, with a stepped section and roofed areas behind the far-end goal and possibly another seated section, thus preparing the club adequately for any future promotions and potential ground-grading issues. Naturally, all big tasks that will require both a lot of time, work and more importantly funding.
Dave Bettley
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The A to Z of Runcorn Linnets Part This week we focus on our G force – only seven players with a surname beginning with that letter have this far played for the Linnets – and two of these are in our present squad... GALLAGHER (Declan) Debut: 27/08/2018. Appearances: One (as sub). Goals: None. Promising teenager Declan Gallagher is starting to make a name for himself in senior non-league football after a successful career as a junior saw involvement in a hat-trick of national title successes. A tall and confident centre back, the 19-year-old’s first port of call in open age was Vauxhall Motors, who were Cheshire Amateur Cup runners-up in 2017-18. They also finished second behind South Liverpool in West Cheshire League Division One. Prior to that, Declan was as a youth player on the books of Mersey Royal and Skelmersdale United. His performances led to him gaining representative honours with Liverpool County FA’s Under 18s team. It was with the LCFA that Declan, who also spent time as a youngster with Wigan Athletic, completed his treble of National Cup titles - after similar success with Liverpool Schoolboys Under 15s and his school’s Under 16s side. Declan came to Runcorn Linnets as a 2018-19 pre season trialist and is viewed by manager Michael Ellison as a young player with great potential. His first appearance for the Linnets was in the FA Cup tie against Maltby Main. In a late cameo role off the bench, playing in attack, he almost rescued a desperate situation in defeat. He is also registered with Ashton Athletic in the Hallmark Security League.
GILCHRIST (Adam) Debut: 11/08/2018. Appearances: Eight (inc two as sub). Goals: None. Another summer signing, who has also been recently been getting game time at Ashton, Adam became the first new addition to the squad in the EVO-STIK era. The striker signed from FC United of Manchester on dual registration after playing for us in two pre-season friendlies as a trialist. Able to play anywhere across the front line, Adam made six appearances for FC United in 2017-18, scoring one goal. His debut had come on New Year’s Day 2018 in a 2-2 Vanarama National League North draw at Salford City. In a 10-year nonleague career, he has also played for Radcliffe Borough (now Radcliffe FC), St Helens Town, Marine, and more recently, Burscough. Adam is a UEFA B qualified coach. His younger brother Jason, also a forward, preceded him at FC United. GILL (Rio) Debut: 28/10/2017. Appearances: Three (inc one as sub). Goals: None. Rio is a young striker who was recruited in October 2017 after a trial at the club. The step son of former Linnets left back, Martin Crowder, Rio was previously
at Everton’s Academy and then on the books of EVO-STIK League club Trafford. He made his debut off the bench in a 1-1 home draw against Barnoldswick Town in The Hallmark Security League Premier Division. Rio left Linnets at the end of January 2018 after two further outings, in the Cheshire Senior Cup at Congleton and Macron Cup at Stockport Town. During his time at the club, he featured in the Cheshire County Youth squad. GLAYSHER (Rob) Debut: 12/11/2008. Appearances: Nine. Goals: None. Goalkeeper Rob had two spells with the Linnets, rejoining in October 2011 as a 19-year-old student, having already appeared for the club in 2009-10. The Ormskirk-born player, he had previously been at hometown club Burscough and also Skelmersdale United. GLOVER (Allan) Debut: 09/08/2008. Appearances: 23. Goals: None. Allan joined the Linnets in June ‘08 as a player and as first team coach. The left-back, a PE Teacher by profession, had joined from Bamber Bridge. He had moved to Brig in January ‘08 from Connah’s Quay Nomads having earlier been with
Congleton Town. A player with Welsh Premier League experience, having played for Bangor City and Holywell Town in the 1990s, he had also plied his footballing trade more locally for Warrington Town, Northwich Victoria and Skelmersdale Unired. He made three appearances in 2010-11 for Runcorn Town, returning to Pavilions in 201314 in a backroom role, having in the previous season been manager of a Cheshire Schools boys team. Allan had at the start of his playing career represented England Under 18s and the British Universities. GRIFFITHS (Luke) Debut: 12/01/2017. Appearances: One. Goals: None. Luke fleetingly played for Runcorn as an 18-yearold product of the youth system at Bolton Wanderers. He became our final first-team signing of 2017. The Liverpool-born midfielder played in the same BWFC Under 18s team as our then (and now former) left back Danny McKenna. GROGAN (Michael) Debut: 24/11/2007. Appearances: Five. Goals: One. Michael, a tall midfielder, signed from Skelmersdale United in November 2007 aged 18. The only goal of his brief Linnets career came in a 5-1 victory at Bacup Borough in the following month. Now converted to a central defender, the former Manchester United trainee has enjoyed a long career in North West non-league circles, including a spell with AFC Telford United in Conference North, and now plays for our EVO-STIK League neighbours, Widnes. All appearances correct up and including Saturday, November 17th.
Dave Bettley
Who’s the GOAT? A Linnet’s Eye View This week’s ramble is pointless. It’s an insoluble argument. Anybody who has ever scrolled through discussions of football on social media will be familiar with the question “Who is the GOAT?” Not a hairy animal with a little beard that eats shoes, but - ‘Greatest Of All Time’. Ask any football fan of any age who is the best player they ever saw, and you’ll get an opinion, but what you’ll never get is agreement. If you’re over 25, it will annoy the bejeezus out of you that ‘young people’ see no reason to spread the net any wider than a daily debate on the comparative merits of a bloke from Madeira with a shiny perma-tan and 0.01% body fat, and a little fella from Rosario, Argentina who proves the point “if you’re good enough, you’re big enough”. I take their blinkered views with a pinch of salt. Yes, I’m old, but I was born almost a century after football was invented, and don’t see any reason to believe it didn’t really exist until I started watching in the sixties. It certainly didn’t start with the advent of the Premier League in 1992, and I’m afraid I have little interest in the views of those whose experience of football is limited to getting repetitive strain injury playing FIFA morning, noon and night, and who switched their devoted allegiance from Real Madrid to Juventus this August. So why is it pointless to compare the merits of the undeniably talented Ronaldo and Messi with those of Pele, Zidane, Maradona, Best, Matthews, Di Stefano, Charlton, Puskas, Moore, Zico, Cruyff, Beckenbauer etc etc? Because you’re never comparing like with like. It’s like trying to decide whether Christmas dinner is better than David Bowie. They are two of my absolute favourite things ever, but they’re not comparable, and I refuse to choose one over the other. For starters, that top-of-the-head list of footballing greats didn’t include a goalkeeper. Nobody ever chooses a keeper as the best player of all time. But was anybody in a pair of football boots really more expert than Peter Schmeichel? Not in my book. Others will immediately howl “No! What about Banks, Zoff, Shilton, Jennings, Yashin, Buffon... etc?” Still Schmeichel for me. If any player had to score a goal to save the planet, and pick one goalkeeper NOT to try and stop them, I think they’d be daft not to sideline the Great Dane. Can you compare a great keeper with a prolific goalscorer, game-bossing midfield general, impervious centre-half, or lightning-fast winger? Can you even compare a centre-forward who scores goals for fun with one who holds the ball up, turns defences inside-out and creates gilt-edged chances for half a dozen teammates? I’ve been laughed at many times for defending Emile Heskey as a far better player than he was given credit for being. Just ask any England striker who played alongside him who their favourite international striking partner was. In the same way, anybody who would suggest
Connor McCarthy didn’t score enough goals in his time with us either wasn’t watching, or knows nothing about football. I glaze over when I see any ‘GOAT’ debate descend into statistics. Has Rooney been a better England player than Charlton because he beat his goals total? If it’s stats you want, include the number of games played, and Lineker trumps both of them hands down. People try to evaluate goalkeepers by counting clean sheets. You what? Clean sheets come from a rock-solid defence, so the No1 has no shots to save. Joe Hart has medals! If you want to see how good a keeper is, put him behind a weak team. Even if you only compare players with others in a similar role, is it meaningful if they played in different eras, or different countries? People will say George Best can’t match up to Pele because he never played in a World Cup. How would we be comparing them if George had been born in Brazil and Edson Arantes do Nascimento had been an exotic native of Belfast? I will always maintain that Best was the greatest player I ever saw perform in the flesh. That makes a vast difference. The telly just isn’t the same. I am nobody’s idea of a Manchester United fan, but close behind him on that count come Denis Law and Eric Cantona. I never fully appreciated the latter until I saw my Aston Villa destroyed at Old Trafford (an experience I have suffered too many times), in a game that was totally dominated by the mercurial Frenchman. You couldn’t take your eyes off him. The whole game revolved around him, and he summed up the cliche ‘great feet for a big man’ like nobody I have ever watched. I only ever saw Pele on the small screen, and there’s no question he was a phenomenon. His nationality did enable him to shine on the World Cup stage, but I do have sympathy with the view that it’s hard to compare him with other legends when his prolific club career of 650 goals in 694 games happened almost entirely for Santos in the less than fiercely competitive Brazilian league, and a 56-game swansong at New York Cosmos. How would he have fared in England, Spain or Italy? We’ll never know. Most of the greatest names of the last 50 years I only ever saw on TV, and the one who most passed the ‘Cantona test’, that I couldn’t take my eyes off him and couldn’t wait for him to get the ball again, was Johann Cruyff. His talent was simply insane. It was only when I read his autobiography that I learned his famous ‘turn’ wasn’t a silky skill that he’d spent hours perfecting on the training ground. He detested ‘showboating’, and as a manager he would discipline players who ball-juggled or nutmegged an opponent if it wasn’t the simplest or the only way to beat him (he would not have got on with Ronaldo!). The Cruyff Turn was first executed against Sweden in the 1974 World Cup, and the great man said he did it because at that moment there was just no other way to keep the ball. That autobiography was a game of two halves, by the way. The best title of any football memoir ever (‘My Turn’) but otherwise, the most
disappointingly tedious football book I have ever read. I like to think something was lost in translation. It’s not hard to see why discussions of the GOAT are concentrated on more recent players. It isn’t just because we all naturally concentrate on the era we have lived in, but also because we didn’t have access to every professional match played as we do now. I started watching football just as colour TV came into being. Match of the Day showed us highlights of one game per week, with regional ITV highlights of another one on Sunday afternoon. On Wednesdays we had highlights of a European Cup or League Cup match on ‘Sportsnight’. The only live coverage was the FA and European Cup Finals, the World Cup, and the Home Internationals (oh, how I miss them). In a non-World Cup year, there were maybe four live TV games per season. How could you decide who the greatest players were if you didn’t see them play? I love to read about football from before I was born. But reading is all I have. Footage of Stanley Matthews doesn’t go much beyond the ‘Matthews Final’ of 1953, when Blackpool beat Bolton 4-3 to win the FA Cup. Blackpool centre-forward Stan Mortenson must have been gutted that it was in the ‘Matthews Final’ that he scored a hat-trick. Still, I’m sure he would have readily acknowledged that it was bossed by a tricky winger who plagued the Bolton defence for 90 minutes, with a ball that was then a cowhide cannonball, at the age of 38. The feat that will never permit Matthews’ legendary status to be challenged is that he made his final top flight appearance for Stoke City 12 years later, at the age of 50. My dad said that the best footballer he ever saw was the powerhouse half-back (midfielder, to you, kids) Duncan Edwards. There is almost no film footage of the man in action, so I wouldn’t know. He died as a result of the Munich air disaster in 1958, at the age of only 21, having already made 177 appearances for Manchester United and 18 for England. My dad being a Wolves fan in their golden era of the fifties under Stan Cullis, he was deeply disappointed that Dudley boy Duncan had gone to Old Trafford rather than Molyneux. He and many others said that as a teenager Edwards looked like a seasoned pro of 30, and that if his life hadn’t been tragically cut short, he would have become England’s greatest ever captain. It’s a hardy perennial to accept that you can’t compare any modern great (with modern training regimes, highperformance diets, and high-tech modern equipment), with pre-war warriors kicking and heading a sopping wet leather boulder, wearing three-pound workboots with leather studs nailed into them. And when you got hurt, you didn’t get the expertise of a Gemma Mooney to fix it. You had a freezing wet sponge slapped in your kisser. Would Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney and Dixie Dean be rubbish playing today? It seems unlikely. Today, Matthews would probably have gone on until he was 70. But that brings me to my all-time favourite first-hand
football anecdote. In the 90s I attended a sportsman’s lunch in honour of ‘The Preston Plumber’, Tom Finney. I had the great privilege of chatting to England’s ‘Lisbon Lion’ Nat Lofthouse, who had worn the number 9 shirt for Bolton in that 1953 Cup Final. Being so youthful, I never saw him play, but I can certainly insist he was one of the most gracious gentlemen I have ever met. I reminded him of a story I had heard and loved in a radio documentary about English football’s legends. Nat, who played centre-forward for England numerous times with Matthews and Finney on either flank, was asked who was the better winger. Gent that he was, he was reluctant to choose, but he said: “They were both incredible, but if you really press me, I would probably have to say Tom”. The interviewer pressed Nat to explain why. “Well, when I ran into the box, I knew without looking up that either one would put the ball right in front of my head. The difference with Tom was that he always sent it over with the laces facing the other way.” Ronaldo and Messi wouldn’t have a clue what he was talking about. It’s hard enough to name the best ever player at your own club. You’re spoiled for choice, and feel disrespectful to any number of legends you don’t single out. For a Villa fan like me, the names Mortimer, Cowans, Shaw, Withe and Morley stand only slightly taller than the other six who became European Champions in 1982. And yet it’s centre-half Paul McGrath we call ‘God’. He joined Villa from Manchester United in 1989 for £400,000, aged almost 30, with two crocked knees and an addiction to Guinness. Physically unable to train apart from the lightest of fitness work, he was Villa’s best player for the next seven years. A few years later I was working on the door at a bar in Manchester, when God swayed towards me looking predictably lubricated. He looked at me and said “You’re not going to let me in, are you?” I replied “We don’t have a red carpet I’m afraid, but I’m quite happy to lie down so you can walk over me instead”. In his excellent Scrapbook History ‘Once A Linnet, Always A Linnet’, Derek Greenwood put together a page of no fewer than 62 Linnets Stars - topped by “Three of my all-time Linnets legends” (Ossie Smith, Alan Foster and Eddie Moss). How would Derek even begin to choose a GOAT from Runcorn alone? As a wet-behind-the-ears Linnets devotee of only five years, even I would struggle to single out one of the eight players in Derek’s 62 who are from my era. That said, I’m pretty sure that long after I have left a vacancy behind the goal Linnets are attacking, Freddie Potter will remain a yellow and green celebrity in perpetuity. And Ello has managed to become a legend all over again since he finished playing as one, and Crossy with him. So what conclusion can we come to on the GOAT debate? None. What a waste of time that was. Some people will tell you that sums up football, but some people are fools. COYY!
David “Bill” Davies
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Notice of AGM Runcorn Linnets FC Limited The 2018 Annual General Meeting of Runcorn Linnets Football Club Limited will take place on Thursday, December 6th in the clubhouse at The Millbank Linnets Stadium, starting at 7.30pm. Nominations for our annual Trust Board elections closed at midnight on Thursday, November 8th. The deadline for any member resolutions for the 2018 Annual General Meeting of Runcorn Linnets Football Club Limited has also passed. The AGM will take place on Thursday, December 6th in the clubhouse at The Millbank Linnets Stadium, starting at 7.30pm. This will feature presentation of accounts and the Chairman’s Report. Participation at the meeting and in any voting is only open to those who are paid-up full (adult) or senior members (including such persons who are part of a family membership) on Thursday, November 15th 2018. Junior members (aged Under 16) do not qualify to for a vote but can attend the AGM, if accompanied by a parent/relative/guardian in family membership. Non-members are also welcome to attend but are not permitted to take any part in the meeting.
Home Fixtures EVO-STIK First Division West Runcorn Linnets v Glossop North End Sponsored in memory of Dave Bignall Saturday 8th December 3:00pm EVO-STIK First Division West Runcorn Linnets v Droylesden Sponsored by George & Paul Coward in Memory of Ros Saturday 22nd December 3:00pm EVO-STIK First Division West Runcorn Linnets v Skelmersdale Utd Tuesday 1st January 3:00pm Cheshire Senior Cup Runcorn Linnets v Stalybridge Celtic Sponsor - TBC Week Commencing 7th January EVO-STIK First Division West Runcorn Linnets v Prescot Cables Saturday 19th January 3:00pm EVO-STIK First Division West Runcorn Linnets v Market Drayton Saturday 2nd February 3:00pm EVO-STIK First Division West Runcorn Linnets v Mossley AFC Sponsored in Memory of Harry Thompson Saturday 23rd February 3:00pm EVO-STIK First Division West Runcorn Linnets v Kendal Town Saturday 16th March 3:00pm EVO-STIK First Division West Runcorn Linnets v Ramsbottom Utd Saturday 30th March 3:00pm Matches Played at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, Murdishaw Ave, Runcorn, WA7 6GJ. Admission - Adults £8.00, Concessions £5.00, Accompanied Children are Free of Charge
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