runcorn linnets V witton sat 17th july

First Team On the Park
1

just seen this on the non-league website,
looks like there will be a large crowd,

Local people in the Runcorn area are getting ready to celebrate the opening of a new football stadium.

The official opening of The Millbank Linnets Stadium will take place at 2.15pm on Saturday, 17th July 2010, when Vodkat North West Counties League Premier Division club Runcorn Linnets welcome Evo-Stik League Division One North side Witton Albion as their first ever opponents at the new facility.

Turnstiles will open at 1.00pm and the afternoon will start with a curtain raiser between under-13 representative teams.

Former players have been invited back to take part in the official opening, as well as the local MPs, representatives from Halton Borough Council, the county and local Football Association officers and club sponsors.

The new stadium will allow Linnets to play back in the town for the first time since the old club left Canal Street in 2001.

As well as the first-team, the club will also run reserve and youth teams and have also established a link with local junior set up Inter Union JFC, who have now renamed themselves Inter Linnets JFC. The function room facilities at the site will also provide a base for local community groups.

The Football Stadia Improvement Fund, supporters of the Football Foundation, and the largest funder of non-League football in the country, supported the project with a grant of £93,331.

Over £90m has already been invested by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund since its launch in July 2000, funding lower league ground improvements throughout professional and amateur game, creating a safe and modern environment for fans and players to enjoy the game.

Derek Greenwood, Chairman of Runcorn Linnets said: “This will be a very proud moment for the club. For the last four years since the club was reformed, we have played out of town at Witton Albion’s excellent Wincham Park and we were delighted when Witton accepted our invitation to be our first opponents in the pre-season friendly at the new stadium.

“We would like to put on record our sincere thanks to Halton Borough Council and the Football Foundation for the help and support they have given to our project. We would also like to express our gratitude to Millbank for stepping in to sponsor the club, initially for the next three years. To our fans, sponsors and advertisers we offer thanks for all the help they have given us over the last four years to help us realise our ambition.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation said: “We are delighted that the club and the local community will have access to these fantastic new facilities and commend the club and the local FA for their hard work in making this happen.

“Sport is playing a central role in helping people to stay fit, strengthen communities and promote responsibility amongst young people. This is the latest example of thousands of projects across the country that the Football Foundation is supporting with money provided by our funding partners the Premier League, the FA and Government.”

2

Good luck to the 'corn - always enjoyed going to Canal St - they used to create a very intimidating atmosphere. I wonder if that will be re-created at the new ground? Going by new grounds generally though, probably not.

Had a few run-ins there as well mind!

3

another press release from runcorn.

Runcorn Linnets FC are looking forward to their first ever game at the Millbank Linnets Stadium this coming Saturday, 17th July, when Witton Albion are the visitors. The building of the new stadium has been completed in around 5 months and the club is extremely grateful for the support of Halton Borough Council and the Football Stadium Improvement Fund in helping this project become reality. The club would also like to place on record its gratitude to the fans who contributed so much, both to the project fund, and in practical help.

The turnstiles will open at 1.00pm and the day will start with a curtain raiser between Under 13 representative teams (KO 1.15pm).

The official opening ceremony will follow on between 2.15pm and 2.30pm. The Linnets are delighted that a number of former players have accepted the invitation to take part in the ceremony including Alan Foster, Eddie Moss, Tim Rutter, Ossie Smith, Mike Moseley and Robbie Holcroft. Former manager John Williams who took the Linnets to the Conference title in 1982 will also be in attendance together with representatives from club sponsor, Millbank, Halton Borough Council, the local Football Association and local MPs Derek Twigg, and Graham Evans.

The Linnets first home friendly game of the season will kick off at 3.00pm. The Linnets are delighted that Witton Albion have accepted our invitation to be our first opponents in recognition of the help and friendship they have shown to the club, especially over the last 4 years when we have played at their excellent Wincham Park facilities and we look forward to meeting up again with their players, fans and officials

To help make this a fun day, there will be free face painting for our younger fans and refreshment and ice cream vans will be available on the ground.

its nice to see that mike moseley will be in attendance as runcorns guest.

4

Would like to see something like the first team for at least 1 half so we can see them as a group, pete heler didnt feature last game anyone know if he was injured or away, runcorn should be abetter test for us us today but I would expect to spoil there party and win 3-1 !

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Your wish was granted this afternoon CJ.:-]

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Full team and we won 3-1?
WHS.

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No Macca, Peter Heler, Ian Kearney or danny warner to name a few today quite a few of the young lads given a run out, was most impressed with Ben Harrison at centre half and Smith? up front. We didn’t really put too much together in the first half but improved in the second, was a good opportunity to have a look at some of the untried lads - thats what friendlies are for. Good luck to Runcorn, very basic new stadium but a nice setup and I wish them all the best for the future

8

A good win, but lots of subs and difficult to know whos who ? no announcements were made so ill just settle for the win and wait until it settles down, expect the bulk of the team to be made up of the names we know, but was impressedwith ben harrison at centre hlaf I have seen him several times before in sunday league and wasnt sure he would be ready yet for our level but he played well not sure yet who will be the full backs and does anyone know who was the centre forward second half kinsey or smith ? he looked decent. cmon Wittern

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Both Kinsey and Smith came on in the second half but it was Smith who was playing mostly in the centre up front. Smith looked quick and strong and scored a goal from open play.

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I have watched Ben Harrison play many times for Barnton on a Saturday. I have never seen him have a bad game. Played really well on Saturday and fitted perfectly. Nice lad too, I am sure he will do well.

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Thanks fozzy, did Kinsey score the free kick then ?

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C.J. - yes it was Kinsey who scored the free kick…

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I got to say without putting the kiss of death on things that the young lad at centre half Ben Harrison looks a good prospect to me. I hope he plays tonight against Rhyl because that would be a good test for him but at 18 if he sticks at it he can only get better and I was impressed.
I was a little worried after the Eastwood game about the attack and lack of penetration but I guess this was down to Eastwood being so good. On Saturday we showed we can score goals and hopefully the lads playing up there will begin to gel over the coming friendlies. All in all I think its coming together quite nicely and I do like some of the younger players in and around the team showing that our local youth policy is beginning to pay off.Rhyl tonight will be a good tester for us and lets hope we can continue to see further improvements to our shape and play. Onward and Upward!!