Tuesday's Opponents: Runcorn Linnets

Runcorn Linnets may be new to the NWCFL, but they are by no means new to non-league football. It's some story and all.

As Runcorn they were one of the founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1969, eventually gaining promotion to the then Alliance Premier League (now the Conference). The zenith and nadir of Runcorn's existence came in quick succession in 1982. They won the Alliance Premier League, but didn't receive enough votes from the then Division 4 members to gain promotion. Who said that football isn't full of "if onlys". Since then it has been relatively downhill.

They lost the FA Trophy final to Altrincham in 1988 and saw their Canal Street ground literally fall apart during the 93-94 season: a perimeter fence collapsed during an FA Cup match, the roof from a stand blew off and the main stand was destroyed by fire.

Canal Street was sold in the year 2000 and the club moved to the Halton Stadium in Widnes, which it shared with the town's rugby league team, and also changed their name to Runcorn FC Halton. Just one season was spent in the new Conference North before the club was relegated back to the Northern Premier League. With this came a spell of financial misery, forcing the club to move again, this time sharing with Prescot Cables for the 2005-2006 season. By now the financial crisis was so severe that the players' wages couldn't be paid. Key playing staff were offloaded and replaced by amateur players; Runcorn FC Halton were suffering thrashings every week and the club tumbled - and finished - at the bottom of the table. The club resigned from the league and that was expected to be that as far as non-league football in Runcorn was concerned.

Until now. Runcorn Linnets have emerged, phoenix-like, from this horrible mess to join us all down here in the NWCFL Div 2 and we wish them the best of luck as they keep non-league football in Runcorn (although they'll be playing in Northwich until they find a ground) alive and well.

Feel free to visit their excellent official website by clicking here.