MATCHDAY
PROGRAMME
AVRO vs RUNCORN LINNETS
WEDNESDAY, 29TH OCTOBER, KICK OFF 7.45PM
Pitching In NPL Division One West
HISTORY
CONTACT US/ GENERAL INFORMATION
CLUB PERSONNEL (under development)
MEDIA (under development)
INTRODUCTION
Good afternoon and welcome to The Vestacare Stadium for our Northern Premier League West fixture against Runcorn Linnets. This fixture is being played slightly later than initially scheduled as a result of the recent cup progression for the visitors in which they were one round away from reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Cup. We would like to congratulate everyone associated with Runcorn for their cup success and look forward to welcoming you to The Vestacare this evening. As for ourselves, it has been a busy month in the league so far and it is worth noting that Avro head into this fixture looking to remain unbeaten in October, a stat which reflects the job that Grant Shenton has done since taking over as Avro manager and also reflects the effort and dedication put in by all of the coaching staff and players.
We head into this fixture on the back of a competitive meeting with Stalybridge Celtic at the weekend. It was a close affair and just as the sides looked settled for a point a piece, up stepped Sam Davidson in the 91st minute. For the second time this season, he scored directly from a corner as it caught the Stalybridge keeper off guard and clinched a late winner for The Ro.
Ahead of our fixture this evening, we have been bolstered by the news that Kyle Hawley has signed a new contract as he commits his future to Avro. Kyle has had an outstanding season so far and is the NPL West top scorer with 10 league goals which could rise to 15 depending on the outcome regarding the Kidsgrove Athletic fixture. Congratulations to Kyle and I have every faith that he will claim the golden boot at the end of the season!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to the visiting players, officials, and fans of Runcorn Linnets. Drinks are available in the Lancaster Suite with a new and refreshed food menu available just next door in The Hangar. With the temperatures now reflecting that of late October, help yourself to hot drinks and food and enjoy the game!
NOTE: As always, please be respectful of the stadium rules and staff. They are there for your safety, this includes no smoking or vaping in the ground. Avro FC maintain a zero-tolerance approach to discriminatory or abusive language and remain fully committed to ensuring all supporters can enjoy matches at The Vestacare Stadium in a safe and respectful environment.
Jamie Ross (Head of Media)
1930s
The early part of the decade was not spectacular, but the second part brought Cheshire league championships, Cheshire Senior Cup success and the great FA Cup tie versus Preston NE. Some of the great names of the club’s history appeared in this era.
Jack Search – A Runcorn Legend
In March 2019, Halton Borough Council honoured the memory of the man widely regarded to have been the Linnets’ greatest ever player.
The roadway in the new retail park outside The Millbank Linnets Stadium was named Jack Search Way, in tribute to Jack’s service to Runcorn AFC, his association with the town and war-time heroism. Jack’s exploits over 15 years either side of World War Two as Runcorn’s prolific centre forward – winning Cheshire County League and FA Senior Cup honours as well as being involved in an FA Cup third round of 1939 against holders Preston NE – are chronicled in the Linnets Legends section of the website. In war years, he was awarded the George Medal for bravery. Serving in Sicily, Jack (who rose to the rank of Lt-Col) cleared stocks of ammunition from the path of a raging petrol fire. His heroic action prevented a major explosion, thereby averting huge damage and casualties. Jack later became chairman of the Canal Street club before joining the board at Everton FC, but he never forgot his time with the Linnets and always took an interest in their results and progress.
Jack’s daughter and son-in-law, Jeannie and David De Rycke travelled from their home in Cumbria to see “Gentleman Jack”, as he was rightly known, honoured. The roadway was unveiled three days after the 31st anniversary of Jack’s death.
The material in this section of the Historical Archive is dedicated to Jack and has been taken from the scrapbook he kept during his time with Runcorn AFC.
1940s
The league was suspended during the war years but the immediate post-war period brought further success in the FA Cup against League opposition.
1950s
The club struggled in the Cheshire League with little notable success during the period.
1960s
The “Boothway” decade which saw a league title and success in the Cheshire Senior Cup competitions.The era of Foster and Moss and FA Cup glory versus Notts County, thanks to Alan Ryan.The club left the Cheshire League at the end of the decade to join the Northern Premier League.
1970s
The era of Stan Storton. The club won the Cheshire Senior Cup again in 1973/74. The following year, they retained the Senior Cup and added the NPL Cup, as the team became one of the strongest in the league. The season after – 1975/76 – the club won their first NPL league title, and took their third league scalp – Southport – in 1977/78, with the NPL Cup won again in 1979/80. In this season, the Alliance Premier League (now Nationwide Conference) was formed, with Runcorn surprisingly left out.
1980s
The golden decade for the club. They did the treble in 1980/81, lifting the NPL Championship, NPL Cup and the NPL Shield, achieving promotion to the top flight of non-league football. After promotion, Runcorn continued their form and shocked the non-league world by winning the APL Championship at the first attempt by a seven-point margin, losing just five games. Runcorn also won the League Cup – known as the Bob Lord Trophy – on two occasions in 1982/83 and 1984/85, and were runners up in 1991/92. In the first ten years of APL football, Runcorn finished in the top eight on nine occasions. The “Conference Years” were also Runcorn’s most successful periods in the FA Cup and FA Trophy. In their fifteen years of tenure, Runcorn reached the First Round six times and the Second Round four times. They also defeated two league sides in this time – Chester (1987/88) and Wrexham (1988/89). In the FA Trophy, Runcorn went one better than their three Semi-Final appearances in the 70s by reaching the Final at Wembley in 1986. Runcorn were also very successful in the Senior Cup, winning it for five consecutive years in from 1984/85 to 1988/89.
1990s
The Linnets reached two more FA Trophy finals at Wembley, going down to Wycombe Wanderers (4-1) in 1993 and Woking (2-1) in 1994. Despite their success on the field, disaster struck three times off the field during the 1993/94 season. A perimeter wall collapsed in a FA Cup tie against Hull, the roof blew off a stand in high winds, and the main stand was gutted by fire. With the club crippled by the cost of rebuilding their Canal Street home, Runcorn suffered on the pitch, and were relegated for the first time in their history in 1995/96 after fifteen years of top-flight non-league football. Back in the Northern Premier League the club won the Presidents Cup in 1997/98.
2000s
With crowds dwindling, Runcorn sold their Canal Street home to move into the 11,000 capacity Halton Stadium in nearby Widnes. The club also changed their name to Runcorn FC Halton. In the 2003/04 season, the Conference announced the formation of Conference North and South for following season, with Runcorn qualifying by finishing the season in thirteenth – the final automatic spot. The following two seasons saw relegations into UniBond Premier and UniBond First following financial difficulties, although the spot in UniBond First was never taken up as the club became dormant after the creation of Runcorn Linnets FC by the fans of the old club in 2006. Success came to The Linnets in season 2006/07 when promotion was achieved to the top division of the North West Counties League. After 4 years out of the town at Witton Albion, the club moved back to their own ground in Runcorn at the Millbank Linnets Stadium in 2010.
2010s
In 2010 the club moved back to their own ground in Runcorn at the Millbank Linnets Stadium after playing for 4 years at Witton Albion. The bond between the two clubs continues to be recognised at the start of each season with a joint sponsored walk followed by a pre-season fixture. The Linnets will always be grateful to Witton for their friendship and support during this time.
Early in season 2010/11, former Linnets player Paul McNally was appointed to the manager’s post to replace Steve Wilkes. In December 2012, Joey Dunn came in to replace Macca, bringing Stu Humphreys as his assistant. After settling in for the rest of that season, Joey and Stu then built teams which finished agonisingly as runners up in each of the next 3 seasons, although the league cup was won in 2013. Joey stepped down in July 2016 and former skipper, Michael Ellison stepped into the manager’s post bringing Matt Cross back to the club as his assistant. Despite having to build a team from scratch, Ello managed to take the team to 4th place in the league by the end of season 2016/17 but the following season saw the team finally achieve the championship they so much deserved and with it came promotion to the Evostik League. The Linnets just missed out on the play off positions in their first season in 2018/19 before the following season was declared void following the pandemic outbreak. Only time will tell what the new decade brings.
runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/historical-archive
Avro 1-0 Wythenshawe Town
(Harry Salt 55)
The month started with a 1-0 victory against Wythenshawe Town at The Vestacare. Despite the close scoreline, it was a relatively comfortable afternoon for Avro who controlled the game well and learnt from the previous mistakes in their 2-2 draw with Wythenshawe Town the previous week. This fixture also marked a first ever Northern Premier League West goal for Harry Salt after he converted a bullet header past the Wythy keeper to put Avro ahead and seal the victory.
Avro 4-0 Clitheroe
(Harry Salt 8, Fortune Maphosa 15, Kyle Hawley 29, Darren Ehimamiegho 41)
In what is set to be the result of the month in October, Avro followed up on their victory over Wythenshawe Town with an emphatic 4-0 win over Clitheroe a couple of days later. It was a story of the first half as Avro went into the break 4-0 up thanks to goals from Harry Salt, Fortune Maphosa, Kyle Hawley and Darren Ehimamiegho. It was back-to-back league goals for Harry Salt.
Congleton Town 0-2 Avro
(Kyle Hawley 7, Jack Kenny 52)
Next up for The Ro was a difficult trip to face Congleton Town. It was a perfect start to the fixture when a wonderful strike from Kyle Hawley put Avro ahead inside 7 minutes and put them on track for a third consecutive victory. Just after the break, a first league goal of the season for Jack Kenny doubled the lead and put Avro in a comfortable position. Despite pressure applied from Congleton Town, Avro held out to seal maximum points.
Witton Albion 2-2 Avro
(Sam Davidson 37, Kyle Hawley 90)
Back-to-back away fixtures for Avro saw them make the trip to the U Lock It Stadium to face Witton Albion. The hosts took an early lead against the run of play thanks to Tom Hoyle and Avro found themselves behind for the first time in October. Just before the break, Avro found themselves level thanks to a direct corner from Sam Davidson. In the 90th minute Avro were awarded a golden opportunity to snatch a late winner when the referee awarded a penalty. This was confidently converted by Kyle Hawley and Avro looked set to hold out for the win. However, in the dying seconds.
Avro 1-0 Stalybridge Celtic
(Sam Davidson 90+1)
Last weekend in our penultimate match of the month, it was more late drama but this time in favour of Avro as Sam Davidson scored from yet another direct corner to put Avro ahead in the 91st minute. As you’d expect between 4th and 5th in the league, it was a close affair and both sides would’ve felt satisfied leaving with a point a piece. That was until The Ro were awarded a late corner proved to be the pivotal moment of the match. Stalybridge did create chances but were denied thanks to a great save from Cam Mason and a goal line clearance from Fortune Maphosa.
Avro v Runcorn Linnets
It’s Runcorn Linnets next for Avro to complete a successful October and The Ro will look to finish the month unbeaten and add more points to the league table with Avro currently sitting in 2nd on 25 league points. It is yet another difficult fixture with the visit of Runcorn Linnets but as Grant Shenton has said previously, The Ro head into this season fearing no-one and will have confidence in their own form and mindset heading into what is set to be another close affair at The Vestacare.
