Runcorn Linnets: Number of amateur sports pitches at Halton Sports unaffected by planned relocation of Vodkat League club to Murdishaw site

Jul 2 2009 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE number of amateur sports pitches at Halton Sports would not be affected by plans for Runcorn Linnets to relocate there for the 2010-11 season.

Subject to planning permission, £200,0000 of investment by Halton Borough Council, the Football Foundation and the Vodkat League club will see a fully-enclosed floodlit ground with all the necessary facilities.

Linnets board member and press officer Steve Pritchard told a public meeting last week: “The council are realigning all the existing pitches to accommodate our pitch. There will be no loss of playing surface to the public.”

For phase 1a of the development, the club plans to obtain funding to renovate the full-size all-weather pitch at Halton Sports for their own and community use.

Linnets, a Trust-run fans club formed in a breakaway from the now dormant Runcorn AFC/FC Halton, will spend a fourth season at Witton Albion before hopefully ‘returning’ in August next year. Chairman Derek Greenwood said: “We’ve got a football team, the way we start developing a football club is by having our own ground. We want to feel like it is a community facility.

“We’ve got to rebuild our fan base by attracting new fans and attract some people back; those who said they would never come back to watch the team until it is back in Runcorn.

“This is their chance.”