Runcorn Town and Runcorn Linnets in first ever match on Boxing Day

Dec 23 2011

AN action-packed Boxing Day fixture list  ignites excitement in every football fan;  but this year, Runcorn has something  extra special to look forward to.

Derby matches typically generate an air of  anticipation in any town or city.

Their divisive nature rings aloud in the  customary week long build up. But when two  clubs, fuelled by community spirit clash for the  first time in history, it’s an occasion to behold.   For the winners at least.

Runcorn Town will play  host to Runcorn Linnets  the day after Christmas.

When the referee’s  whistle blasts at 3pm, over  43 years of Runcorn Town  history (formerly Mond  Rangers) will feel the full  force of a Runcorn Linnets  setup still cutting its teeth  after re-forming as recently  as 2006.

In the North West Counties  Football League, both sides  compete at a level in which  much of the glamour of modern day televised football is  absent; but it’s the heart committed supporters invest in  each club which will make  Boxing Day an occasion to  remember according to Linnets’ boss Paul McNally.

“Anything can happen,” said  McNally. “I think it’s a great  game for the town. For Runcorn to have two teams doing  well in the league and playing  each other on Boxing Day can  only be good for the town.

“Everyone at the game should  pat themselves on the back just  for being there after all the hard  work that’s gone in to both  clubs. When you see these  people behind the scenes, they  never stop. So it will be nice for  everyone involved.

“For the players it’s another  game;  a few of our lads know  theirs, so they know what  they’re about. 

“I know their assistant manager Danny Salt well – we were  teammates for four years so I’ll be  looking forward to having a drink with him  after the game.”

Linnets will travel to a Town side chasing  their third consecutive promotion and currently sitting fifth in the table, with games in  hand on leaders Bootle.

McNally is full of praise for the work done by  his opposite number in developing  Town into a  title-chasing team for the third season in succession.

Quizzed on Simon Burton, McNally added:  “It’s tremendous what he’s done and how he’s  done it. He deserves a pat on the back. To get  consecutive promotions in any league is a hell  of an achievement, and to have maintained the  profile of the club in the process.

“I never hear anyone say a bad word about  them. They’re in a great position and have had  good cup runs, so their season is so alive it’s  unbelievable.

“When you’re flying like they are, every  player is dangerous.  They’ve got James McShane up-front scoring all the goals and lads in  the midfield who will cause us problems.”

After a spluttering November, McNally’s side  are also finding form, with consecutive wins  against Winsford United and Silsden providing  a confidence-boosting Christmas tonic ahead of  the local clash. The run of form means both  sides are now within the top 10 of the North  West Counties Premier League and  harbouring hopes of promotion into  the Evo-Stik League First Division.

Despite McNally’s evident zest for  the fixture, he is adamant the excitement of supporters will not impact  upon the dressing room as his side seek focus at  Town’s Pavilion Sports Complex.

Town fell to their third home defeat of the  campaign against Glossop North End in their  last outing at Pavilions, and while Burton  understands the local interest in the fixture, he  is keen to ensure the derby is treated solely as a  quest for three crucial points.