Bosses depart after difficult spell in charge

RUNCORN Town has parted company with ith j joint i t managers Niall McGuinness and Aden Shannon after just six months in charge.

A meeting at the club between the committee and the management team led to both parties agreeing to part by mutual consent ahead of the 2022/23 season.

The duo took over in October 2021 with the club fourth from bottom of the NWCFL Premier Division. Despite some encouraging performances, a difficult season ended with the club finishing bottom of the league and relegation to the First Division after 10 seasons in the NWCFL top flight.

Chairman Lindsay Berry said: “We would like to thank Niall and Aden, as well as coach Jonny Hill, for their efforts during their time with the club. They are all great lads and have been a pleasure to work with. We are in a results business and after discussions, have decided to make a change and a fresh start ahead of next season when we hope to challenge for promotion.”

In a joint statement, McGuinness and Shannon said: “We would like to wish everyone the best at Runcorn Town Football Club. During our short stay we’ve met some good people. Our time at the club hasn’t gone how we expected it to go and things haven’t always been how we expected them to be.

“Myself and Aden agreed with the board it was best for us both to seek new paths moving forward, and we want to wish the best of luck for the season ahead.”

Meanwhile, the club’s request to withdraw from this season’s Macron Cup has been accepted.

After a disappointing season it was decided by the Committee and Managers not to prolong the season by continuing with the cup competition, especially as there was a gap of more than two weeks before their scheduled third round tie, and Town made the decision to join several other teams in withdrawing.

The club’s Under 16s booked their place in the President’s Cup Final with a 1-0 win against Appleton on Sunday. Jaden Keogh scored the only goal to win the semi-final tie at the Viridor Community Stadium. The final will be played at Warrington Rylands on Saturday 7th May.

The Under 15s continued their recent progress, recording back to back wins.

They beat Runcorn Linnets 3-2 at The Heath Park. Goals from Callum Kervin-Lowe and Owen McLaughlin put Town 2-0 up. Linnets fought back to make it 2-2 before Aaron Pimblett’s winner five minutes from time.

They made it three wins in a row on Saturday, beating Huyton Mini Soccer Galaxy 5-2 at The Heath Park with goals from Mackenzie Powell, Matty Hamilton (2), Jack McLaughlin-Light and Aaron Pimblett. *