Town revolution gathers pace
MATT Barnes’ Runcorn Town revolution continues apace with a host of new signings arriving at the club since the start of the month.
Following Town’s swoop for striker Jack Iley, new boss Barnes has revamped the squad with a further NINE signings.
Harry Hatton, an attacking midfielder who was with Salford City as a youngster and was a regular in their Youth Team, was the latest to join the ranks over the weekend.
The 21-year-old moved into senior football with Cheadle Town before moving on to Glossop North End and he returned to Cheadle last season.
Manager Barnes is delighted to bring in another exciting player who has impressed him in training and the pre-season games so far.
“Harry came in this preseason having not played much football last season due to injury etc. He has been fantastic up to now and is a very exciting footballer who has the ability to change any game at any time. I’m really looking forward to working with Harry and making him an important player for our squad.”
His arrival was announced on Sunday, the same day defender Jack Fleming officially joined the club.
Fleming is a left back who began his career in the youth setup at Tranmere Rovers and made his senior debut for them in April 2017.
The 23-year-old had a brief spell with AFC Liverpool before settling in at Skelmersdale United.
After moving on from Skem he has played for Burscough and Northwich Victoria as well as sampling Welsh football with Caernarfon Town.
He scored his first goal for the club with a late penalty in Saturday’s friendly win at Helsby and has been named one of the vice captains.
“I’m really happy to have signed for Runcorn Town,” he said. “It’s a local club for me and I can’t wait to get started. The aim for me this season is to help the club bounce back after last season and push for promotion back to the Premier Division.”
Manager Barnes added: “I’m really excited to be working with Jack - he’s been unbelievable since he’s come in and deserves the vice-captaincy. I’ve come up against him in the North West Counties for a few years now and have always been a fan of his. He’s great player who will bring a hell of a lot to our squad.”
Marcus Perry signed late last week. The 25-year-old winger has experience with several clubs around the North West Counties League, starting out at St Helens Town before moving on to Irlam in 2016. A great 18/19 season where he was top scorer earned him a move to the Northern Premier League with Atherton Collieries.
Perry moved on from Colls to Ashton Athletic and then joined Padiham for the 2022/21 season. He ended the season back in St Helens with Pilkington.
“It’s about time I say that he signs for me as I’ve always been a huge fan of Pez,” said Barnes. “His pace is frightening and he’s going to be a huge asset on and off the pitch. I’m really looking forward to working with him and very happy to get him in to say the least.”
Chad Whyte has also signed on for the new season and will be Town’s new club captain.
Whyte is a 30-year-old striker with plenty of experience in the North West Counties League and above.
He started out at St Helens Town before signing for Marine in February 2015.
After 18 months with The Mariners he made the switch to Skelmersdale United, before moving on to Widnes, Burscough and Bootle.
He has spent the last two seasons with Northwich Victoria.
Chad is a regular goal scorer at this level with over 70 goals in two seasons while at Burscough! He is looking forward to getting started and excited about leading a side looking to challenge for promotion.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Runcorn Town,” he said. “It’s a huge club and I’m excited to be a part of the challenge to get the club back to where it belongs! I’m also extremely proud to captain the side for the season ahead.”
Manager Barnes added: “I have chased Chad for years and finally I have him. He’s a natural goal scorer with bags of experience and hopefully he brings his goal scoring boots with him for us.”
Versatile Jean Khasa, 30, also brings experience to the squad.
He started out at Borehamwood before moving up north where he joined Bacup Borough.
After making 19 appearances at Bacup he moved on to Daisy Hill where he spent two seasons, making 44 appearances.
He then stepped up to the Northern Premier League where he was with Kendal Town for part of last season.
Khasa can operate at the back or defensive midfield.
“Jean was recommended to me by Adie Bellamy,” said Barnes. “He is a great bloke and will be important to us this season. Having seen him in training I can clearly see he is a driven player who will put his body on the line for the team.”
Midfielder Oli Scott is another young player who impressed manager Matt Barnes at Prestwich Heys last season and has signed for Town.
Scott is 18 years old and is a versatile player who can play anywhere across the midfield.
He joined Prestwich Heys aged 16 and started out in the Youth Team, but also made his First Team debut soon after signing and has made 18 appearances in total.
An energetic box-tobox midfielder who always looks to get forward in attacking situations to score and assist goals, manager Barnes is looking forward to working with Oli again having brought him through to senior football at Prestwich Heys.
“Oli was with me at Prestwich Heys as part of the First Team squad,” he said. “He has an exceptional attitude and he is a fantastic young hungry player who will be very important for us this season.”
Another youngster signing up is Keane Joyce, an exciting young midfielder aged just 17.
He spent three years with Oldham Athletic’s Academy and one year with Walsall’s Academy. He then signed for Prestwich Heys where he made four appearances last season.
Joyce also captains AFC Fylde’s Under 18s team and describes himself as an aggressive player who always gives 110%.
“I had Keane for a short time at Prestwich Heys and his drive and willingness to listen and learn shone through,” said Barnes. “I’m really pleased to have him on board and to help him develop further.”
Another new arrival with links to Prestwich Heys is Niall Sultan.
He spent three years at Silsden where we he was part of the side who won promotion from Division 1 to the Premier League in 2018.
Sultan left Silsden in 2019 having made 77 appearances, scoring 21 times.
He joined Prestwich Heys where he has been for the last three seasons, helping them also get promoted from Division 1 North. A pacy winger and was a regular in the side last season, he made 32 appearances and scored twice.
“When I arrived at Runcorn Town I wanted to get Niall in,” said Barnes.
“He’s a very intelligent player who can be used in various positions. He’s a loyal lad to me which goes a long way and people at the club will love him!”
Niall is looking forward to the challenge ahead and is hopeful of helping the club get promoted back to the Premier Division as he did during his time at Prestwich Heys.
“It’s great to be signing for Runcorn Town,” he said. “The aim is to help the club get straight back into the North West Counties Premier
Division - a challenge I’m really looking forward to. With the quality we have in the squad hopefully it’s something we can achieve first time around. I know what is expected from me with Matt and Cookie and they know what they get with me, so it was a no brainier really. I’m just looking forward to getting going and playing some football now.”
Forward Jordan Lorde completes the recent additions to the squad.
The 27-year-old started his career with Burscough Richmond in the West Lancashire League before making the switch to neighbours Burscough in 2018.
He then moved on to Congleton Town before returning to Richmond last season where he scored an impressive 31 goals!
Manager Matt Barnes is excited about Lorde joining having scouted him towards the end of last season.
“I noticed Jordan last season playing for Burscough Richmond, so I got in touch and am pleased to have him on board,” he said. “He’s very quick and fit and has an eye for goal, being top scorer for Richmond. He can play across the front three and I think he’s going to be a really exciting player to watch.”*