LINNETS GIG NOW CALUM’S – AT 26!

RUNCORN Linnets are convinced rookie boss Calum McIntyre has all the makings of a top manager – at the age of just 26!

Following the departure of Michael Ellison last month, the Linnets cast their net wide with McIntyre proving the stand-out candidate.

He will continue in his head of academy role at Chester, where he previously had a spell in caretaker charge.

But now McIntyre has been tasked with pushing Runcorn forward in the NPL North West Division following their tenthplace finish in the shortened 2019-20 campaign.

Linnets chairman Mike Bignall said: “We had 31 candidates for the position, a phenomenal response, and the overall calibre was extremely high.

“Calum isn’t someone who had been on our radar but his application and CV leapt off the page and made him a candidate we felt we had to speak to.

“We were particularly impressed with Calum’s proposed level of professionalism that he will introduce, his intricate knowledge of players at NonLeague level, and his passion for developing young players into top-class footballers.”

McIntyre said: “I am delighted to be joining Runcorn Linnets. This was a terrific opportunity to move into senior management.

“This is a terrific club and one that I am committed to playing my part in delivering success to.”

Chester chairman Andy Morris believes the Linnets have made a shrewd choice.

He said: “Calum is an excellent coach and it shows incredible faith for Runcorn to appoint him at the age of 26, but I’m sure it will be rewarded.”