Having promised my old mate Fallon at the AFC Fylde v Runcorn Linnets FA Trophy Game that I would one Saturday go and watch Runcorn Town, I kept my promise the other week and went to the top of the table clash against Camel Lairds Res.

Got to say the facilities are taking shape down there and they will be well and truly ready for NWCFL Football next season should they qualify through promotion or via a members vote.

They are already based in the Town, have reserve teams, community projects, sponsors etc this is not a dig at Runcorn Linnets these are simply facts.

This is a club on the rise and I was pleasantly surprised by the standard of players they have, the plans they have in place and facilities they have (they own their own bus for example)

I was as passionate as anyone about the Runcorn Linnets concept when it first started giving the club a great deal of cash as well as my support, but like many I have lost my passion for many reasons, attitude of board members, the continued nomad existence in Witton, lack of fans trust/involvement, the College Plans been scrapped, the lack of off field activities and involvement of the community and town, the image portrayed at games and away from games by certain board members, and the fact the only fundraising activities thought up by the club is to hammer the same fans for extra revenue.

The Trust membership has dried up, the current board if you support them or not are now unshiftable unless the original fan base of 200 returns with its £5 and nomination forms. It is a shame because a great concept and initiative has been lost and I dont know how they are going to get it back, I see the only way of winning people over is to involve them more in a Trust Facility, run the club more along the lines of FC United where they involve the membership on many voting issues.

I am just a fan of football wanting a team in Runcorn to compete at the highest level of non-league football that can be sustained, be it Town, be it Linnets, be it both.
However now that I have taken a step back from Linnets and watch with interest from afar on the two clubs mentioned, for me at the moment one side is appearing to open up its arms to everyone in the town, where as the other club is not so welcoming just take many posts from other posters claiming to be board members telling Gregor & Daz to move on, which I can quite believe after witnessing Dazs treatment at an earlier AGM.

On the field Runcorn Linnets maybe in a higher league, but from what I have seen off the field they and Runcorn Town are leagues apart., just look at the difference in TOTE Jackpots, Community Schemes etc...

Good luck to both clubs, but in my opinion one is more geared for success and has more dynamic people involved then the other, but as always people will make their own mind up

Excellent review with an accurate assessment of things as you see them
I was at Saturdays Reserve game at Town and spoke to one of Town's officials
There seems to be a lot more happening down there than you know about
I do believe that Linnets have a bigger following however
As to this web site being only for the Witton Linnets
that is a very short sighted statement

do the linnets fans not see that it is towns very own people putting these comments up on our forum to drum up fans for there club.how nyeve r we.runcorn town will not last 2 minutes in counties football.travelling for 1,how many fans will they take to away games,they need us more than we need them.if you want some of our fans put your name on here so the ones who are interested can speak to you in person.

Stop talking rubbish they would be mid table now in Vodkat One with the team they have now its a piss poor league and you know it
what travelling only Holker to worry about a well run club would book a coach and fill it

There seems a fear from Runcorn Linnets supporters/officials that Runcorn Town will become the bigger club.
I wouldnt be suprised if Runcorn Linnets officials voted against Runcorn Town joining the North West Counties League.

We have already seen quite a few Linnets fans become regulars at Runcorn Town.

We already see quite a few Canal Street regulars, former Runcorn FC officials become involved in Runcorn Town.

It wont be a case of how many fans Runcorn Town take to away games, it will be a case of how many Linnets fans stop attending Linnets away games and start attending Runcorn Town home games. Why travel away to watch Runcorn Linnets, when a team is playing within Runcorn?
At the end of the day, Runcorn Town need supporters to attend home games, any away fans is just a welcome bonus. The same applies to Runcorn Linnets.
The retention of support will be down to who plays the best football, who has the better admission prices and who provides the most enjoyable football watching experience.

Runcorn Town seem to have ambition and are achieving this without the appeal for funding or joining forces with the council and without causing divides amongst their own support.

seems to me that town have maybe a board or commitee of people who dont poke fun at people when they go to them with ideas or suggestions and listen to them and welcome them with their views, who knows if town can use some of those ideas then all the better.they are on the up.they do play in runcorn.they are a runcorn side ! with a profile and image in runcorn.their community presence is getting more well known and stronger.thats credit to their fund raisers and people in charge it really does seem like they are on the up.i will start watching them.im interested in them now and i will go next home match and make myself known im there to martin and officials and get a good look of their set up and how they intend to go then make my own mind up about them from there but it will be a good change to go to a match in runcorn,amongst people i know,more importantly amongst people on commitee or board level who actually value you been there and more importantly .....want you there.the poster who said they can see linnets voting against town coming into vodkat i can also see that and i agree with that one.i want the day to come when i can see a runcorn derby again.i think that day is closer all the time.

Compare this with the Runcorn Linnets site
http://www.runcorntown.co.uk/

Community page.
FA Charter
A lottery worth winning.
Reserve Team
£1 admission.
Not one appeal for funds that pops up when you open the site.
Weekly Events
Sportsmans dinner.
Oh, more importanly, games in Runcorn

I have attended games at Linnets and Town last season and this season.
Town do not need any of Linnets supporters they really are self sufficient.
I always get a welcome from the people down at there ground
I can not understand the attitude of so called Linnets die hards.
No wonder the club is in so called turmoil.

I would say both clubs are self sufficient Fred in there own way, the only difference is what has been pointed out quite rightly on a few posts on here over the last few days, Town are playing in the town at present and the Linnets are on the way back they hope, in the near future, there is no reason if both clubs are promoted and marketed properly they can survive in the NWC or beyond given the number of people in the local area who want to watch a good standard of football, anyhow thats me done on here, hope the season goes well for both clubs, and both achieve whatever is possible and keep the flag flying at whatever level it can sustain, thats the key, sustainability.

I have noticed that more and more posts about how good Town are have been surfacing on here since Runcorn got the ground permission and WILL be back playing in the Town come next season.

Is it maybe Town supporters feeling abit uneasy that there argument about being the only club in the town wont wash once were back!

lets see how many fans will go and watch when they have to start charging £4-£5 entrance fee, instead of the £1 its currently at.

Also if Im not mistaken look at the bottom of this web page :

DYPAM IS SUPPORTING RUNCORN LINNETS FC...if this is the case can we remove all threads about Town and tell them to **** off to their own site ...if there club is soooooooooo superior why dont they have their own forum where there own fans can post..

It seems that Linnets fans are becoming worried about the progression at Runcorn Town and more significantly, Linnets Board members are becoming worried.
Each week, more and more Linnets fans are abandoning the Linnets and are watching football down at Pavillions.
It seems that they are made more welcome there and actively encouraged to share ideas and get involved.
Sponsors are evident at Runcorn Town and community activity is also evident.

I see Linnets supporters arguing that they are Runcorns Team, but what makes them Runcorn's team? They have never played a game in Runcorn.
The link to the old club, goes no further than a few ex Runcorn AFC Supporters watching the club and the colours of yellow and green for the kit.
Thats were it ends.

Put Runcorn Linnets v Runcorn Town up against each other on all fronts and the team that represents Runcorn and the Runcorn community is Runcorn Town, its miles ahead. Linnets think that a return to the town will see increased gates, increased sponsorship and people flocking to support them on all fronts, its not that simple Im afraid.

Come next season, the divisional gap between the two teams will only be one league, or given Linnets results, it could be at the same league.

I've been to my share of Linnets games over the last 3 years, but for me, I would rather walk round the corner and watch a much better game, in a friendlier enviroment at Runcorn Town. At the end of the day, there are probably more ex Runcorn AFC supporters at Pavillions than there are at Wincham Park each week, so in reality its Runcorn Town that has more links to the old Runcorn AFC.

Lol! Worried!? Your barking up the wrong tree Im afraid.
Runcorn Town are miles ahead in community involvement? Please list how they are miles ahead, as far as I know they have 1 event throughout the year,(Im happy to be corrected) summer soccer school, fair play its a good scheme to have, but the Linnets also match the 1 event a year with the open trails they hold every pre season. Im sure once the Linnets are back in the town with the facilities available at Halton Sports the community events will blossom, along with the introduction of youth teams etc (from 8 upwards I would guess) also the Linnets were helping out a local charity from there shirt sales.
In my opinion and by some of the posts on here it is Town who are concerned with the imminent return of the Linnets to the Town, will the attraction of higher level football perhaps entice Town regulars to watch the Linnets? Town have had all this time to stamp there mark on the Town and community and the facts are that its only since the formation of the Linnets they have (seriously) looked at taking the club to nwcl level.
I went 1 Town game last season and the only person I recognised there was Rosie so I dont know where all these hoards of Runcorn fans who watch Town were, Runcorn wearnt playing that day so they certainly wearnt there!
All that said I have full respect for Town, I hope they gain promotion, if not, I hope they get elected. I would hope that one day both teams are competeing at Unibond level, or beyond, I feel both teams could easily sustain a good level of football in the Town and that can only be good for the Town as a whole.

I can tell you now the ground will not be ready until the season after next 2011/2012 FACT

the only reason you have "TRAILS" is because the manager does not have a clue of the local players that we have got around us and the lads who are good enough me included would not play for Runcorn Linnets as they are looked at as a joke thats why we play for other unibond teams

Pmsl! We will see!

jazzy Jeff - given your self-proclaimed abilities, I assume you have graced one of the many local non-league teams who operate at a similar level to Runcorn? Or are they too ignorant to your obvious talents?

I believe Town are changing their kit to Green and White Stripes for next season if they get in NWCL
How much is a season ticket and will there be any considerations

Being as Town are the only decent club in OLD Runcorn,
Linnets missed the opportunity to get £2m back when the real Runcorn sold Canal Street.
Someone should read the small print or get some advice there was a clause !

OK lets gets a few things straight (and Spenner thanks for the kind words - hope you enjoyed the day!)...

"runcorn town will not last 2 minutes in counties football"

I beg to differ, and next season will be the telling point. However I do not think that we will be in the bottom half of Division One that's for sure!

"lets see how many fans will go and watch when they have to start charging £4-£5 entrance fee, instead of the £1 its currently at."

Admission prices for next season have not yet been discussed formally but I can promise you that if we are in NWCL next season, admission will be no more than £3.00 - probably less.

"it is Town who are concerned with the imminent return of the Linnets to the Town"

Everybody at Town could not care less about Linnets moving to Runcorn (not returning), should it happen next season or the season after. Everybody probably wishes them luck but we are more concerned about ourselves and our progress than what happens to Linnets.

"as far as I know they have 1 event throughout the year,(Im happy to be corrected)"

And I am happy to correct you! Town hold at least five soccer schools throughout the year, three in the summer and at least two others at half terms (May and October I believe, although this Octobers one was not run due to an illness in the coach's family).

Town also hold a Bingo at Pavilions every Thursday and try to run at least one Sportsman's Dinner every season. The end of season presentation has also for the last few seasons being a race night which is open to anyone.

"Town have had all this time to stamp there mark on the Town and community and the facts are that its only since the formation of the Linnets they have (seriously) looked at taking the club to nwcl level."

Not true. I went to Town when Runcorn AFC moved to Prescot in 2005. The reason I was tempted there is because the club stated at the time that they wanted to move into NWCL. This was one season before Linnets was even formed! Yes it has taken three years to get the ground up to standard but these things do not happen overnight, believe me.

I also think that we have done a cracking job at Runcorn Town over the last few years in moving the club forward. Lots of people now know about the club, both in the town and throughout the North West, who didnt four years ago.

"I believe Town are changing their kit to Green and White Stripes for next season if they get in NWCL"

No Fred - Town will be playing in Sky Blue and Navy Blue!

I'd also like to add that Town are not seeking to "poach" Linnets supporters. We offer good quality football for the Town (as our unbeaten start to the season shows) and if anybody wants to come down then we won't discourage them to do so.

Given that the first team have been away all season except for three matches, we have also been encouraged by the large support at reserve team home games this season, and it will be interesting to see the support over the next three games when the first team are at home (or as in Saturday's case, playing the reserves!).

Will also be interesting to see attendances next season when we have to announce them, something that we dont have to at present in the West Cheshire League.

As I said Martin, Im happy to be corrected, however, your not surely considering bingo, sportsmans dinners and presentation nights as community events, they are more fundraising activities.
Runcorn are RETURNING to the town, they ARE a continuation of the old club, formed when the old club folded, and the old club did play in the town.
Say what you want (and you should know) about Towns aspirations 5 or 6 years ago, as I said in my last post, in my opinion they have not looked SERIOUSLY at upping there level untill the Linnets were formed, sure nothing happens overnight, but its only in the last few seasons weve heard about Town wanting to progress and develop there ground, and I stand by my views that Town missed the chance to attract new supporters when Runcorn moved to Widnes then onto Prescott.
I beleive Town will more than hold there own at the next level, and I hope they can sustain that, even progress further in time so good luck with the promotion charge and/or application to the league.

Urkey of course they are community events! Anything that provides something to the local community that otherwise would not happen, such as the weekly bingo, is a community event. It is irrespective as to whether an event makes money or loses money, they are still community events. I would even say that the Linnets Pool Open / Darts Open are community events.

Onto other points, you know as well as I do that the Linnets are not a continuation of the old club that we used to support and watched at Canal Street. That club folded in 2006. Runcorn Linnets is a completely new club, formed also in 2006. Runcorn Linnets paint the picture that it is a continuation of the old club, and it is your opinion that they are, but it is FACTUALLY INCORRECT. They are a new club - ask the FA for clarification!!

It may also be your opinion that Town did not look seriously at upping their level until Linnets were formed but that is what it is - your opinion. One again though it is FACTUALLY INCORRECT.

In 2005 - one year before Linnets were even thought of - a decision was made by the committee to go for North West Counties which attracted me and various others to the committee. Four years later we are about to realise that ambition.

Before 2005, Town were Mond Rangers and were quite happy with West Cheshire football. Yes the club may have missed the chance to attract new supporters when Runcorn moved to Widnes, but that was in 2001, way before the club were interested in NWCL.

Runcorn Linnets use and abuse the name of the old club when it suits, yet they are more than happy when it suits, to point out that they are a new club.
Runcorn Football Club folded the day it left Runcorn. FACT!

Runcorn FC Halton and Runcorn Linnets are not Runcorn Football Club.
The only connection they have is the adaptation of the name Linnets, the colours yellow and green and a few former Runcorn Linnets Supporters.
Runcorn Football Club still actually exists, ask The Doc, he will tell you that, hence either Runcorn Linnets or Runcorn Town not being allowed to use the name Runcorn Football Club.

Hats off to Runcorn Town, they have achieved their ground status without the need for constant money appeals, I am unaware, but they havent needed to go cap in hand to the council in order to fund a ground. Runcorn Linnets new ground will not be owned by Runcorn Linnets, they will simply be Council Tennants. Look what happened when the old club became Council Tennants at the Autoquest, it got shafted.

For Urkey to dismiss Runcorn Towns events as non Community, then he simply makes himself look bitter. What is a community event, rattling a collection tin in The Old Town?

Fair play to Runcorn Town, if their admission price is no more than £3.
I wonder what Runcorn Linnets will charge when they move to Runcorn, it wont be any less than £5.

Pmsl! Not bitter wpba (cant beleive you wont put your own name, you know me and I certainly know who you are) I aint bitter, i just dont think social fundraisers can be classed as a community event, hence Ive never saud rattling a tin in the old town classes' as one.
Your entitled to your veiws Martin, but a quick look in any programme where the linnets are playing and you will read "formed in 2006 from the demise of the old club" and no Runcorn F.C no longer exist, Runcorn FC Halton do, ask the doc! Do Telford, Halifax or scarborough not consider themselves continuations of there old teams?
There are a few posts on this thread that have onviously come fr the same poster intent on **** stirring and trying to get both clubs into a slanging match, what a wanker!
As for been bitter then look at my previous posts and see how much I would like to see Town succeed

Can somebody please enlighten me as to whether Middlesbrough, AFC Wimbledon, AFC Telford and AFC Halifax are different clubs from those which existed for many years prior to 1986, 2002, 2004 and 2008 respectively?

Urkey be careful saying the new club are a continuation, etc....the creditors of the old club might believe you and come chasing

Continuation in all but name, Barry. As has been stated on here Runcorn FC Halton still exist and that would be the creditors first port of call, if the Doc could be located

Martin may i firstly congratulate you on a very frank assessment, Runcorn Town started out as Railway Athletic playing on Runcorn Common in the 1960's, later to become Mond Rangers and now of course Runcorn Town. Some of the committee have been attached to the club for many years as players and latterly committee members, they have a vast knowledge of local football garnered from their time in football, many are members of the district fa council too. they are also blessed to have my dear friend of many, many years as vice chairman, he is also vice chair of the district fa Andy Hartwell. Runcorn Town is in good hands, and i sincerely hope that they succeed in all they do.

Runcorn Linnets are certainly an offspring from Runcorn FC......however that club lies dormant and has not been wound up.....for reasons only david robertson knows. Runcorn Linnets have made great strides in their short existance, to start from a position of having nothing other than good intentions, to nearly having a new ground, to have secured one promtion and one cup final in their short life is very good.

Runcorn as a town used to support Runcorn FC and a good layer of clubs below it on a population of approx 26000, we now have over 60000 people here approx 120000 in the borough. there is plenty of scope for two senior clubs playing at a decent level. However Runcorn or Halton, really does cry out for a Football League club, possibly one of our two clubs might aspire to provide that one day, but the competition from having two senior clubs should prove to be healthy for both clubs.

I would agree with Martin further any event that involves the public whether it raises money, or not is a community event, it would of course be viewed differently if it were a totally inhouse event for players and members that would be a different matter. it is very pleasing to see an official of runcorn town being so overt with their opinions.....its totally refreshing

very true Barry

Anything that appears in away programmes on the Linnets, such as History and PenPics, are written by Runcorn Linnets and forwarded on to the opposition.

Middlesbrough, Telford, Halifax and Scarborough are and aren't continuations of the old club. In each case the club was liquidated and a new club formed, in some instances the new club being accepted as a continuation of the old club.

Middlesbrough kept their name and league place. Telford were relegated two leagues but claim the history of the old club. Halifax were relegated three leagues and promote themselves as a new club but mention the history briefly. Scarborough started at the bottom and make no mention of the old club - interesting that the Scarborough Athletic Website, doesn't have the history of Scarborough FC!

Linnets is slightly different to the above four examples in that Runcorn AFC Ltd (the company who traded as Runcorn AFC / Runcorn FC Halton) was never liquidated. The Doc simply resigned the club from the league. Runcorn Linnets was formed as a new club by supporters, but the club old club still existed (albeit on paper).

Whilst the Town of Runcorn has a population above that of many towns that have established league clubs, Runcorn could never maintain a league club and supporters would never attend in the required numbers.
FA Cup gates of the late 80's and early 90's showed that.
Attendances for FA Trophy Semis and Final showed that.

In reality, the furthest any of the two clubs could hope for, would be Conference North, as finances would never allow for anything higher.

In hindsight, Runcorn Supporters should have formed their own club when the club moved to Widnes, that could have easily have been achieved in conjunction with Pavillions, utilising some of the old facilities from Canal Street. Yes hinsight is great!
The formation of a breakaway club was suggested long before Linnets was even dreamt of forming, with several of the current board very quick to dismiss the suggestion. Again, hindsight is great, but who knows what could have been achieved with an earlier formation.

The way that Linnets and Town will progress, will be that two clubs will regulary attract gates of about 150 and over a period of time, it will develop into a New Town and Old Town divide.
A derby game between the two, could have the potential to attract 400+ gates.

The days of Runcorn FC have gone. Linnets is not the same club, never will be and will never create what the old club was about, far to much time has passed since it left Canal Street and even in the last few years of Canal Street, the club was never what it once was.

What we can hope for is a good standard of football in the town, with facilities and youth development that can bring enjoyment to the people of the town and the towns youngsters and who knows, the odd good FA Cup run.

The History of Runcorn Linnets gives no mention to Runcorn Football Club, other than it being formed by Supporters of Runcorn Football Club (Not quite accurate as it was formed by Supporters of Runcorn FC Halton).

with the linnets struggling to compete in the premier division with teams with far higher budgets dominating how are town looking to progress, have they got plans in place to pay a large wage bill to attract the best players or will they be happy to consolidate in div 1?

Dont be fooled by budgets and money.
You can win both the divisions in the North West Counties without spending big on players. Its all down to having the right manager and the right structure. Runcorn Town have a huge bonus of having an established reserve side. They can attract players who have the desire to play, rather than people wanting an extra £20.
For the money Linnets have spent and are still paying, they really should have been promoted 2 years ago.
Who is to say that Runcorn Towns budget wont be higher than that of the Linnets? Runcorn Town make more money through sponsorship and weekly events than Runcorn Linnets make.

We have no plans in place for a large wage bill. The club is financially sound at the moment, and we will strive to keep it so. We believe that the current team will do well in North West Counties, but it is going to be a learning curve for all of us. One thing that we wont do is stretch ourselves financially.

We have good players at the club already - players who have played for Altrincham, Warrington, Skem, Burscough and Prescot in the past. With the exception of one or two coming in and out, it has been a settled side for over a season now and I see no reason why this will change next season as players are happy at the club. As an example, 9 of the 14 who played last Saturday have played over 35 games for the club.

My mother attends Runcorn Towns Bingo every Thursday, it is the only social outing she attends.
Believe me she will not miss it, her birthday treat had to be moved because of Thurday Bingo.
No bus service to or from Pavilions so Runcorn Town pick her up and drop her off at her door.
I know she has no safety problems or worries about being mugged.
I would say Runcorn Town are offering a life line to a number of people and have done so for years
THANKYOU GENTLEMEN ON BEHALF OF RUNCORN AND WIDNES RESIDENTS
YOU DESERVE EVRY SUCCESS 'BEST OF LUCK'

All ou need to do is keep Tony Reiley happy and you will have the money to pa the players if Tonyy goes were would ou stand then??????

If this is the case can you please explain why the Runcorn Linnets Website passes off Spike, Ossie etc... legends from my era of watching Runcorn AFC as Legends Of The Runcorn Linnets.

Also what is the where are they now page all about? surely the only people who should be listed on here is the likes of Scotty etc... Quirky is on there but why is Brabin & Rutter on there?

Seems to me that Runcorn Linnets struggle with their identity, something you cannot level at Runcorn Town. Such as the Return 2 Runcorn Scheme, how can return to somewhere where you have never been?

Look I want both clubs to succeed, Linnets because I have followed them since their formation but also Town due to Fallons involvement and the fact they are based in Old Runcorn.

Some good comments on here from Barry, Dave Dutton etc... especially the one where Dave sounds Martin out as refreshing to see someone involved at a club in an official capacity expressing open and frank views on what Runcorn Town is about, its plans an insight into budget playing staff etc... stark contrast to the closed shop that is Runcorn Linnets.

It seems to me the vast majority of Linnets followers crave for the club to be the old Runcorn FC and allow this to cloud their judgement on issues, I think this restricts the club from reaching out to new avenues, adopting the old club crest, colours and stealing parts of their history may well actually work against them, even though those decisions were probably done with the best intentions.

The Runcorn Town brand and badge is a much stonger and more identifiable symbol, after all Runcorn's biggest asset is the Runcorn Bridge from an identification point of view, and Town have done well to design a new club badge with the bridge incorporated.

Maybe it is time for Linnets, especially with hoping to proceed with a ground in the Town to have an image makeover, make them appear a new concept instead of a splinter of the old club, I think its time for a radical rebrand alongside the Ground Launch. Can't see it happening though!

Weve been down this road before Spenner, and I really cant be arsed copying and pasting your quotes from the official forum on here, where you give a complete different arguement as to why the linnets ARE linked to the old team, it would seem that you choose to ignore or accept the fact of the links dependant on if you support the team, or not, from memory I think your arguement started with the fact that you would not be watching the Linnets if they had nothing to do with the old club.

I think we all wanted Runcorn Linnets to be the old club, but sadly it isnt and never will be.
That same way of thinking can apply to hundreds of things that are left behind in the past.
What the town of Runcorn will have, is two football teams who will strive to play football at the highest possible level. This is something the community and the youth of Runcorn could get involved in. Both clubs should be open and attractive to all.
It would have been nice for Linnets to arrive in Runcorn playing at a much higher level than it is now, thats a lost opportunity and in light of the ambitions of Runcorn Town, it leaves little gap between the two teams.

Do Runcorn Town currently have a seated area within their ground? If not, will they be installing one?

Urkey,

Please get off your high horse, Am I not allowed to change my point of view, opinion, vision, as I have stated many times the euphoria and excitement that myself and others had at the inception of the club have been lost, many people say many things in the heat of the moment and then change their opinion later down the line when reality comes and bites you on the bum, and there are is not a bigger bunch of hypocrites or rose tinted glasses followers then football fans, who continually trip themselves up, history proves it.

Taking a step back, I have changed my opinions and can see that opinions posted by Barry not so long ago about changing Badge, Colours etc... are not so radical, its about connection & survival.
We have reached the stage where the link to the old club guaranteed 200 fans at a gane, that link as proven by the drop off of fans and members can no longer be relied upon, yet the club continue down the same road of shadowing the former club it represents.

Whilst it worked initially, the club now needs to take another direction, otherwise when the old guard die who is going to follow this club, branches and community activities should be getting handed out now for the impending first game in the Town, but what is happening? Maybe the club Secretary could tell us much like Runcorn Towns club secretary tells us, christ I found out more about Runcorn Towns plans in one afternoon, then I have in 2 years of been a trust member, season ticket holder etc.. at the Linnets, maybe the secrecy revolves around Runcorn Linnets having to beg the council for handouts, where as Runcorn Town are self sufficient.

I admit in the first couple of season I would not have backed Barry's argument but time teaches you many things, it teaches you to change, it teaches you to sink or swim, if you think the club can carry on and be succesful in its current format and identity then time again will teach us many things, I can only see trouble ahead, time may prove me right or wrong, however Jon, I am sure you will put me right.

Very good point Spenner.
See this thread below for example. It was suggested that Runcorn FC Halton supporters form their own Trust run club, yet Steve Pritchard dismissed the idea as no new club could ever be the old club, yet some months later a compete u-turn happened.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/101629/message/1142952893/Agree+to+disagree

So because I have different views im on the high horse?....The FACT is me you and many others chose to watch the Linnets because of the links with the old team, you are perfectly entitled to change your views but you yourself stated that is why you watched them.
I just find it comical that since you spat your dummy out you now choose to counter your own arguements and go from one extreme to another.
As for the secrecy please enlighten, what exactly do you wish to know?

Jon, I am not going to get in a debate over who said this, who said what, over two years ago.

With regards to secrecy I simply mean that in a majority of cases we find information out from other sources before the official line confirms anything to the fan base.

And I may be wrong but I feel I speak for a majority of people who first got involved in the club with the promise of involvement in major decisions, only to find that this never come to fruition and may well explain the large decline in memberships.

Can you please explain to me what you mean by I have spat my dummy out!

If you mean I dont attend as many games as I used to or pick and choose my games then you are attacking me, Barry, Macca, Chezi, Daz, Gregor, Tony, Glyn, Shaun, & at least 60 others, do you want me to go on? I can see however how this action would fit the JD for the board you once served.

If you mean my refusal to join the Ground Fund Group, I have already answered this question to you, If you mean I was outspoken at any Meetings I attended, whats wrong with that, if you dont stand for something, Youll fall for everything.

Its nothing personal Jon, you know that, we have attended games together, I voted for you to join the board, I just do not know where you get this notion that I have spat my dummy out.

Your right in your assumption, the spitting your dummy out remark was in refference to you not joining the ground group, because of the people who were part of that group, to me if I felt passionately about somthing and I felt the people wearnt upto it i would make sure I was involved by any means to make sure stuff was going on in a way i felt to be right. Add to that the "freddy the fish" postings which questioned everything the club were doing, shortly afterwards, and I got the impression you were acting like somebody who had spat there dummy out.
Dont get me wrong, both when I was a board member and now there are decissions the board make which i didnt/dont agree with, but there are means and ways of airing your veiws, and I suppose democracy is a great thing if your in the majority.
On the other hand maybe it was just as rational as you saying I was on my high horse.

There are also ways of controlling democracy. Every battle is won before it's even fought. Such is the strength of position of the derek, steve P, hedley, Rob J, Paul Ramsden 'clan' the chances of one person affecting REAL MEANINGFUL change by getting elected is next to zero. They've brought it this far, it seems logical they will want to see it through to Runcorn. THey want to be the heroes....fine, they set the club up.

The people who could have affected real change at the club don't realise they can. The TRUST. A trust which now largely consists of devotees of the current regieme.

Interesting to see (assuming the games are on) what the crowds are at Wincham and Pavilions tomorrow

I think that is an unfair comparision cowboy.
I will be at the Town v Res cup game tomorrow.
But the Runcorn Cup does not compare to Linnets fixture.
Maybe next Friday night's game v Halton would be better.
I will reserve judgement next season when it will be NWCL football.

OFFER TO TOWN

I will personnally pay for a complete Green & White stripe kit for you next season.
£500 cheque ready now from my company in Runcorn, print your own sponsor on it.
I will also sponsor your debut in the FA VASE next season if you go for it.

Nice offer Fred, but we will have to assume that you cant read, because Fallon has already said once in this thread that Runcorn Town will continue playing in blue next season.

It shows the ignorance and lies that are posted on this site when someone comes on and says " town are playing in green and white stripes next season " and even when their secretary comes on and denies it, they still post it.

Fred, thank you for your very kind offer and I will of course take it to our committee for discussion at our next committee meeting as it is obviously not something that I personally can agree to or not. However I can almost guarantee you that the answer will be no.

The reason for this is simple. As Spenner pointed out earlier in the thread somewhere, we have built up the Runcorn Town "brand" steadily over the last four years, and Runcorn Town is now synonymous with playing in Sky and Navy Blue.

Its not just the kits - the ground is painted in blue, training tops, warm up tops and tracksuits are all in blue, the badge is blue... the only thing that isnt is the club bus!! The club obviously does have to look at every offer of sponsorship that it is offered very closely, but I personally feel this is one that we must kindly decline.

However I will let you know what the committee say after the meeting (so drop me an email or get in touch through the website so I can reply there).

Does the offer extend to a Runcorn town away kit?

I will ask the question about the away kit, but it is reasonable to ask.
One of my employees played for Mond Rangers, they had a Green Kit at that time.

Another point Companies House has no records of Runcorn AFC registered
Therefore if Town want to take that name just register as Runcorn AFC Ltd
It will only cost you £46

I suppose it would be in the best interest of the " Runcorn Town Brand " to now change their name to Runcorn AFC.

Strangely enough, over the years, Ive seen several away programmes that refered to Runcorn AFC as "Runcorn Town".

Fred woulod you be interested in sponsoring another west chesire team who are in finacial trouble and are desperatly trying to find a new sponsor i am sure they would welcome your offer of a new kit and also put your company name acrooss the front of there shirts (Helsby fc)

thanks for the suggestion but am looking for Runcorn based club who can offer the
of like ground adverts, programmes and good coverage publicity.

Ok thanks Fred

Hahaha i'm sure this is someone trying to wind up Runcorn Linnets as this is a Linnets site so please do all Linnets fans a favour and post these comments on your own site your becoming boring now.

havent you heard of the term ''free country'' ? you cretin.you'll do well with johnson ramsden and pritchard if you get elected.