Taken from non-leage daily website:
LINNETS TAKE GIANT STEP FORWARD
15/06/2009
Vodkat North West Counties League Premier Division club Runcorn Linnets have taken a giant leap towards returning to the town - after a report from a key council officer recommended that the club receive a grant of up to £100,000 to relocate to Halton Sports in Murdishaw.
Linnets, who have called Witton Albion’s Wincham Park home for the past two years are expected to receive the green light for the move in time for the start of the 2010/11 season, when the council’s executive board meets next Thursday, June 18th.
The proposed new facility will offer a new high quality floodlit pitch, seating and standing areas for spectators, changing, hospitality and training facilities and will be co-funded by the club, the council and the Football Foundation.
The report carried out by the strategic director for Health and Community noted the positive impact that a fully functioning non-league football club based in the borough has on the community.
During the club’s three year ‘Return2Runcorn’ fundraising campaign, plans had been made for a move to a new development at Riverside College in the town.
However, the report shows that these plans proved to be in unaffordable, with the council owned Halton Sports site proving to be the “most effective option”.
Delighted Linnets chairman Derek Greenwood said: "We would like to offer sincere thanks to the council and the football foundation for their invaluable help and advice in securing a cost effective project for the club.
"After considering all the options, this offers much greater viability and opportunity for expansion in the future than our original plans at the Halton College Campus site.
"We would like to put on record our thanks to the governors of Riverside College for the understanding they have shown us throughout our negotiations.
“I hope Linnets fans will be delighted with this news and see it as a major step in the club’s development.”
Halton Borough Council recently commissioned a study by the University of Liverpool into football provision and found that the return of the Linnets was essential to providing links with nearby teams, developing the female game and disabled sports and generally encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Tony McDermott, leader of Halton Borough Council added: "Runcorn Linnets are an important part of the community and the council has been working hard with the football club to bring the Linnets back home.
“We are delighted we have now found a viable way to do this and are committed to making this happen as soon as possible.”
The Council will now be consulting residents and the current users of the Halton Sports for their views on the plans.