Town to reap rewards of Cairns return

PAUL McManus believes an accumulation of factors helped Runcorn Town resign Craig Cairns this summer.

Cairns scored his second goal of the season on Saturday as Town overcome last season’s NWCFL Premier Division runners-up Bootle 2-0.

Player-manager McManus also netted from the penalty-spot with Runcorn recording back-to-back victories after a disappointing 4-1 setback at Ashton Athletic.

McManus brought in several new faces during the close season and admitted he was encouraged by the preparations.

“We had a good summer in terms of recruitment,” he said. “That’s in terms of new lads coming in and the lads we wanted to keep hold of.

“Recruitment-wise it was good, the playing squad is good and over pre-season I think we won six out of seven.

“In terms of how we want to play it was encouraging and it went well.”

Despite firing City of Liverpool into the Bet Victor North West Division as top scorer last season, McManus convinced Cairns to return to the Viridor Stadium.

With the move already paying dividends, the player-manager reckons travelling commitments plus the opportunity to write himself into the record books at Runcorn was enough to make the

switch possible.

“We’re mates. I was here when he was here and we still spoke when he was at City of Liverpool last season,” McManus revealed.

“I knew he was due another baby and the travelling came into effect. When you go into the league above you do a lot more travelling and it was an accumulation of things.

“I think he was four goals off scoring 100 for Runcorn Town so I think that was a big push for him to come back. There was a few factors.

“It was done pretty early even though we didn’t announce it.

“We tried to hold off on the new signings as long as possible but he was ringing me saying managers were ringing him and could we announce it soon to get it done and dusted!” MICHAEL Ellison refused to set a target for Runcorn Linnets this term after the midweek Bet Victor North West Division defeat to Mossley.

Linnets, who missed out on the play-offs on goal difference last season, drew 1-1 with Pontefract Collieries on the opening day before surrendering a one-goal lead at Mossley three days later.

When asked to reveal his ambitions for the new campaign Ellison (pictured) replied: “We don’t put targets on anything. We try and win as many games as we can and it’s as simple as that.

“I know it’s a cliche but if you start giving yourself targets you don’t do well.

“You take each game as it comes, put a side out that you think can win and move onto the next one.”

The Linnets manager also believes centreback Jack Hinnigan will be handed an opportunity to establish ablish himself at the Millbank bank this term.

Hinnigan made one appearance for Runcorn in the Integro Cup last year but has penned terms for the new campaign.

“Jack joined us midway through last season but unfortunately, due e to personnel circumstances, was as unable to commit,” ” Ellison added.

“He’s come back k this year and he’s been n fantastic fantastic.

“He’s a no nonsense, natural defender - good in the air, aggressive and has a god left foot.

“He’s got all the attributes to be a top centre-half and I’m looking forward to working with him this year.”

Linnets made several signings during the summer and despite losing player of the year Aaron Morris to FC United of Manchester, Ellison is convinced by the quality he has to call upon.

“I think we’ve got a better squad than we had last year. We’ve strengthened in certain areas,” he added.

“There are four or five lads who are a couple of weeks away because we had injuries early doors.

“It’s been tough but I don’t like pre-season anyway. I think everybody knows that but we’ve settled down now, got some really good players in and we’re looking strong.”